COVENTRY Rugby stars will be travelling 350,000 metres between them on Friday (August 4) to raise much-needed cash to fund life-saving treatment for city youngster Hallie Reeve.
The club’s 35-strong squad will be covering the distance either on foot or through rowing machines and exercise bikes at Broadgate.
Hallie was diagnosed with Juvenile myelomonocytic leukaemia (JMML) aged just eight months old while on her first family holiday in Spain last summer.
After her latest stem cell transplant didn’t work, the family were told by Birmingham Children’s Hospital the only way to save the 20-month-old’s life involves a CAR T-cell therapy trial, which is unavailable on the NHS.
After the family were told their best option would be to travel to America for this therapy, Hallie’s aunt Hannah Dugdale set up a GoFundMe page to raise the needed £1million.
So far, over £700,000 has been raised through donations and fund-raisers.
Coventry head coach Alex Rae knows Hallie’s uncle Adam, and once the players found out about the youngsters’ urgent race against time they volunteered to join in the campaign.
The squad will be rowing and cycling in shifts and running around the city centre in small groups.
There will also be a bucket collection throughout the day.
Alex Rae said: “It’s too easy for us all to go about our day-to-day lives and be oblivious to everything else.
“The family’s positivity at this incredibly tough time has really struck a chord with me as has the togetherness which has come from everyone in support of Hallie.
“We see ourselves as part of this Coventry community and are keen to get involved and help.
“The family’s approach also sends a strong message. We are all far too quick to complain about unimportant things whereas this definitely is and that’s why we will be missing the last day of our rugby pre-season to be in Broadgate on Friday.”
Visit www.gofundme.com/f/rally-for-hallie to donate to Hallie.
