KEIGHLEY’S very own Freddie Cougar is running the Rob Burrow half marathon for the Motor Neurone Disease Association in memory of a former club captain.

Phil Stevenson, who held the record for the greatest number of appearances for Keighley in the summer era, was diagnosed with the terrible disease in June 2017 and sadly he passed away in 2019, aged 47.

The long-serving prop played 343 games for the club in a 15-year spell before retiring at the age of 34 at the end of the 2006 season, having been part of the successful 'Cougarmania' period during the 1990s.

Freddie Cougar has been training hard to help raise important funds for MNDA and has a set of target of £800 for the former Cougars number eight, with £200 being raised so far.

Through his JustGiving page, Freddie said: “Phil put his body on the line week in week out to give the people of Keighley something to be proud of, cheer about and believe in. The Rob Burrow half marathon is a great opportunity to give something back, and Freddie Cougar has been training hard to help to raise important funds. We are aiming to raise £800 for the former Cougars' number eight.

“We want to help beat MND. MND is a rapidly progressing disease that attacks the nerves in the brain and spinal cord. MND can affect how you walk, talk, eat, drink and breathe. Currently there is no cure. I want to help the MND Association to achieve their vision; a world free from MND. We would love your support, every penny counts. £120 could provide an overbed table, making it easier for someone with MND to eat, drink and read safely and comfortably in bed. £230 could fund the coordination of care for someone with MND at a Care Centre for a year. £500 could provide a tablet device with specialist communication software, allowing someone to communicate with loved ones and £750 could fund an MND expert researcher for a week.”

If you would like to donate to the cause, click here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/freddie-cougar