Bens First Challenge

Team Doncaster

Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson was seriously injured in Afghanistan serving with 7 Para RHA in September 2006. Ben is still the most severely injured soldier ever to survive.

Ben has set himself a series of challenges, which can be viewed at the website www.benschallenge.com . These personal and fundraising challenges are in support of Doncaster Neuro Outreach teams and the current target is £25k to purchase a treadmill and supporting harness so those learning to walk again can do so in a weightless environment. Doncaster Knights accepted the invitation to take part in the event as Ben played his junior rugby at Castle Park, and Ben has remained a friend of the club ever since.

Ben's first Challenge took place at Doncaster Lakeside on Sunday 11th April 2010, this was to take part in a Kayak race to raise funds around Doncaster Lakeside which was supported by Seven including : Doncaster Knights Rugby Club, South Yorkshire Police Service, South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service, 7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, Mcauley Canoe Clue, Green Star Canoe Club and Sheffield Canoe Club.

Not only did take part by rowing on his own, but he also walked out to his own Kayak to the cheers and support of the crowd.

The Doncaster Knights team on the day was comprised of Team Manager Ali Warnock, Anthony Carter, Neil Cochrane and Oli Goss. The Knights squad in support of this event raised £700 and were tied for first place until the final event of the day "The Row Off" which they were unable to contest, despite dominating Sheffield Canoe Club for the whole event.

Knights club Captain Anthony Carter told us "Like all the boys I was immensely proud to take part in Bens 1st Challenge, special thanks from me goes to Janet Hayes the Castle Park catering manager, Tom Doughty  and Matt Williams as they has helped organise the boys to raise this amount of money. without the help of these three this would not have been possible."

Neil Davies of "Bens Challenge" told us, "With this £700 in donation from the Doncaster Knights players we are now just £1,000 for our first £25,000 target which is a fantastic beginning. If anyone else involved in the Rugby World would like to donate or support they can check our website for contact details".