A JUNIOR rugby team has raised £500 for a Newcastle Falcons player’s fight against cancer.
Durham City Rugby Club’s under 14’s team raised the cash for Paul Van Zandvliet – also known as “Tank” – who has been diagnosed with a brain tumour and liver and kidney cancer.
It is being donated to The Tankies Fight Against Cancer fund, which goes to charities including Rugby First, Cancer Research for brain tumours and NHS Trust for the Freeman and Royal Victoria Infirmary hospitals, in Newcastle.
When the former Newcastle Falcons star picked up the cheque he also helped Durham’s coach Garath Archer lead a training session on scrummaging.
Donna Arkley, from the club, said: “A club wide response meant that the boys got lots of sponsorship.
“We’re hoping that this will raise awareness of his campaign and other clubs will follow us in supporting him”
She added: “The training session really spurred our boys on.”
The young players raised the money by getting sponsorship to accompany Mr Van Zandvliet, who is from North Shields, on a wheelchair challenge between Tynemouth and Whitley Bay.
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