A GROUP of lifelong friends and rugby league fanatics were welcomed onto Saints' pitch last week as they prepare for a world record attempt at the famous stadium.
A former stalwart of Haydock rugby league club, Ian Cummings was given the earth-shattering diagnosis that he had Motor Neurone Disease (MND) last summer, aged just 43.
While the causes of MND are still relatively unclear, the dad-of-two's diagnosis followed a routine workout at the gym, where a twitch in his left arm, which he presumed was nothing serious, wouldn't stop.
READ > Man rounds off a year devoted to his beloved aunt with final lap around St Helens
After he got an official diagnosis months later, Ian's health has inevitably deteriorated as MND is a degenerative condition that affects the nerves in the brain and spinal cord.
More recently, the 44-year-old said that he has had to purchase a mobility scooter as walking unaided is "no longer possible" and the strength in his shoulders and right hand is "ebbing away".
Despite the initial difficulty of disclosing his diagnosis to those closest to him, Ian said that the support he has since received has been "amazing".
Rallying around the dad-of-two, Ian's closest friends set themselves a challenge of breaking a world record that he could get involved in, despite his degenerative condition.
Starting at 12pm on Saturday, April 29, this will see Ian and his rugby-mad friends doing continuous laps around Saints' stadium as they attempt to break the record for the furthest distance travelled in a golf buggy in 24 hours.
Setting up the world record attempt with the intention of raising awareness of MND and fundraising for the MND Association, Ian's story has attracted support from far and wide, with videos being sent from rugby league legends such as Kevin Sinfield, NRL star Jake Trbojevic, veteran commentator Andrew Voss, and broadcaster Emma Jones.
Along with support from local Sintelliners and members of Haydock rugby league club, where Ian played for decades, the group has managed to raise more than £10,000 before the attempt has even begun.
After allowing the group to use the Totally Wicked Stadium for the world record attempt, Saints went even further to support the fans by inviting them to the game against Warrington on Thursday, April 20.
While Ian and co got to witness Saints' return to form against the Super League leaders, the invite also extended to bring them onto the pitch at halftime to shine a light on their cause.
A signed programme was also auctioned off to support the fundraising, and the group had the opportunity to meet Alex Walmsley, man of the match Jonny Lomax, as well as Sky Sports pundit Jon Wilkin and guests for the evening, Ricky Tomlinson and Sammy Lee.
Ian, from Haydock, said: "When we approached Saints for the world record attempt, we thought we were just getting a venue. We didn't realise we'd be getting all the amazing people who have done everything possible to make this a success.
"It was great to meet Alex Walmsley, Jon Wilkin and Johnny Lomax. Sammy Lee and Ricky Tomlinson were awesome too.
"And then we have all the amazing videos from legends of the game including MNDA ambassador Kevin Sinfield and Jake Trbojevic all the way from the NRL.
"The guys from Haydock Rugby have done an amazing job of getting these for us. We're supremely grateful to all involved.
"The support from everyone has been phenomenal. We've revised our our target 4 times and to get to £10,000 already is incredible."
To continue to support Ian's story and help the group raise as much money as possible prior to the world record attempt, you can do so here.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here