A BRADFORD Bulls ace is getting on his bike as part of a team riding the length of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal in aid of charity.

Sam Hallas will take on the 127-mile challenge on Friday, July 16 in aid of Leukaemia UK. Sam and four others will start off in Liverpool and complete their challenge at the Stansfield Arms pub in Apperley Bridge.

He will be taking on the challenge alongside his partner Lucy Turner and members of her family after her aunt, Julie Baker, of Wibsey, was diagnosed with leukaemia in March this year. Julie has had two rounds of chemotherapy so far and is responding well.

The other members of Sam and Lucy's cycling squad are Stuart Rubery and Anthony and Kieron Baker.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Julie Baker, who was diagnosed with leukaemia in March this year Julie Baker, who was diagnosed with leukaemia in March this year

The Bulls vice-captain, who plays either hooker or lock, says he is looking forward to the challenge ahead.

Sam, 24, of Wibsey, is also following in the footsteps of his Bulls team-mate Jordan Lilley, who completed the same bike ride for charity last year.

Sam's group have set up an initial £1,000 target for next month's charity bike ride and have set up an online fundraising page.

He said: "All along Julie has been positive, she is a fantastic woman.

"Lucy is really close to her. They are a really close-knit family.

"We've not got our head around how big the cycling challenge is yet. I'm looking forward to it. I like a challenge anyway.

"Hopefully we will do it in a day. We're aiming to finish it in around 15 hours.

"The training is going well, we're just building up the length of the bike rides.

"I'm sure the first couple of hours of the ride will be quite nice, it will be hard not counting the miles.

"Jordan Lilley did the same bike ride in 10-and-a-half hours last year."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Bulls vice-captain Sam Hallas Bulls vice-captain Sam Hallas

Lucy says the Covid restrictions have meant Julie has been in Bradford Royal Infirmary receiving treatment for up to six weeks at a time and is only allowed one visitor per week, with the rest of her family catching up with her via video calls.

Lucy said: "My aunt is really nice, she is so funny and down to earth. She is a really strong character.

"She is doing really well and they caught it really early."

Lucy added the group wanted to take on the cycling challenge for Julie and raise money and awareness for the charity and help more people in the same position who battling leukaemia.

The canal bike ride is the latest in a series of fundraisers Julie's family are doing to raise cash for Leukaemia UK.

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