Ryan faces his biggest challenge yet

BIG CHALLENGE Ryan is raising cash for charities which have supported him since his injury.

After suffering a dislocated neck while playing rugby, the Shaw Cross Sharks player had two major operations and had a stroke.

But the 26-year-old has battled back – and he plans to complete his biggest challenge yet by walking further than he ever has since his injury.

Ryan is walking from the Shaw Cross Sharks ground to Crow Nest Park, home of Dewsbury Celtic on March 1 – around 2.5 miles. And he has already raised more than £600 for the RFL Benevolent Fund and the Stroke Association.

Ryan said: “The Benevolent Fund have been there for me since I was in hospital and supported me until now. I want to give back to them what they have given to me.”

The fund has helped Ryan pay his university fees and the cost of his physiotherapy. “It’s a really hard situation to be in,” added Ryan. “The help they give is great. I want to help people who are in a similar situation as myself.

“It is going to be really hard but I am definitely going to do it, even if it takes me all day.”

The young player made a remarkable recovery after his injury last March, asking for physiotherapy and walking as much as he could.

Ryan said although short walks still make him out of breath, the charity walk is just what he needs to keep pushing himself.

He added: “I am challenging myself to show that I can still do stuff like this.”

He plans to reach Crow Nest Park an hour before the 2pm kick-off between local rivals the Sharks and Celtic, accompanied by his family and members of the Sharks’ under-11s team, who will be collecting cash along the way.

Ryan said he was taking his recovery day by day. “I may need more operations to help with the recovery.

“But I don’t really want that. Hopefully I will be able to improve through my physio.”

Visit Ryan’s JustGiving page to donate at www.justgiving.com/Ryan-Glynn2.