BRADFORD Bulls are lending their support to a series of fundraising events for a former player's sister who was left paralysed following a car crash earlier this year.

Sammi Petersen, the sister of Dave Petersen, who recently left the Bulls for Sheffield Eagles, suffered a T4 spinal chord injury, alongside a broken hip and pelvis, in the accident near her hometown of Hull in May.

Her family have set up a number of high-profile events to raise money towards her recovery and disability charities, starting with a sponsored wheelchair relay or walk across the 2220m Humber Bridge on Monday.

The Bulls Wheelchair Rugby League Club, part of the Bradford Bulls Foundation, is supporting the event by providing the wheelchairs and guidance for those taking part.

Richard Johnson, head coach for the Bulls wheelchair team, said the club had "no hesitation" in helping the Petersens' cause.

"It was just an immediate and automatic reaction, and it felt right on behalf of the Rugby League community to offer our assistance," he said.

"We will be supporting the events whole-heartedly for Dave and Sammi, and also doing all we can to promote disability awareness and highlight what it is like to be a wheelchair user.

"When you have players giving their own time to help out with events like these, it shows the mentality of the club and its willingness to help."

From October 29, loose forward Petersen will be joined by a host of stars, including current Bulls captain Chev Walker, in a five-day wheelchair push from The Provident Stadium in Odsal to Hull Royal Infirmary, a distance of more than 140km.

He is looking for businesses to help sponsor the players on sections of the journey, with money raised going towards the S.A.M.M.I fund.

The Petersen family set up the fund to help contribute towards equipment designed to aid Sammi's recovery, such as an electric trike and adaptations to her home, with money also being donated towards charities who work to make positive changes within the disabled community.

Petersen said he had organised the events to raise awareness of how hard the transition can be for new wheelchair users.

"My sister's accident was a life-changing event, not only for her, but for our whole family," he said.

"Prior to this, I had no idea of the extent of the difficulties people in wheelchairs face on a day-to-day basis.

"Simple things such as hills, paths, entrances to shops, in my mind, these never seemed to be an issue until I saw it first-hand. It has been truly eye-opening.

"This has all added to my determination to make this event and the S.A.M.M.I fund a massive success.

"Between me and my sister, I know we can begin to make changes for the better."

For more information on how to get involved in the events, e-mail s.a.m.m.i@hotmail.com.