A TWELVE-YEAR-OLD rugby player who took her inspiration from Rob Burrow will take on a running challenge in aid of the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Scarlet Howarth, from Haydock, will be doing her second fundraiser in aid of MNDA by taking on another ‘7 in 7’ challenge.

Scarlet plays rugby at Haydock Warriors and wanted to do something in aid of the charity.

She has been inspired by former Leeds Rhinos and England international Rob Burrow, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2019, just two years after retiring from a 17-season rugby league career.

After his diagnosis with the illness, Rob dedicated himself to raising awareness and funds for the MND community with the support of close friend and former Leeds team-mate Kevin Sinfield.

He died in June this year at the age of 41 following his inspirational battle.

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Starting on December 1, Scarlet will be running from Haydock Community Rugby League Club to six different community clubs finishing on the seventh day at Saints’ Totally Wicked Stadium.

Day one will see Scarlet run to Burtonwood Bulldogs ARLFC, before going to Blackbrook Girls on the second day.

Day three will be to Ashton Bears ARLFC followed by a run to Haresfinch ARLFC  the next day.

Day five will see a trek to Garswood Stags and day six to Newton Storm ARLFC.

Finally, Scarlet will complete challenge with a run to Saints’ Totally Wicked Stadium, making for a total of 22.3 miles.

Dad Stephen Howarth, who is chairman at Haydock Warriors, said: “She had a bit of a liking for Rob Burrow.

“She plays number seven like Rob did and she started playing rugby when she was seven. Next season she will be playing under 13s in the girls’ team.

“Scarlet is very much inspired by Rob Burrow. She is the smallest in the team and very much similar in playing well over her years.

“She plays like Rob as well and takes her inspiration from him.”

Rob BurrowRob Burrow (Image: PA)

Scarlet has done fundraising previously, including during the Covid lockdown when she ran around the pitch at Haydock for the equivalent of the distance from Saints’ stadium to Salford Red Devils’ home.

“She always wanted to do something for MND,” added Stephen.

“She came to me this year and said ‘what can we do this year?’ Last year she did seven laps of the pitch in seven consecutive days.

“Rugby is a massive part of her life.”

  • Visit  bit.ly/3Z0ukiS to donate to Scarlet’s fundraising efforts.

 

If you have a story, I cover the whole borough of St Helens. Please get in touch at simon.mulligan@newsquest.co.uk