PHOTOS: Heysham Atoms fundraiser makes a real splash

Rugby league club Heysham Atoms have held a successful 'sponsored tackle' fundraising event which included a 'dunking' for some of its players!

The Atoms are raising funds that will be used to support and improve several aspects of the club, including its indoor facilities.

They set themselves a target of £10,000 which is still to be reached but received countless donations from the local community.

The fundraiser was held on Sunday at the club’s home ground, King George’s Playing Field, which the club moved to in autumn 2023, and began playing at in 2024.

The family fun day involved a sponsored tackle which saw players from the club’s thriving junior section complete 10,000 tackles on a tackle bag, held by a club member.

As well as the sponsored tackle, families could also enjoy bouncy castles, face painting, raffles, food and drink - including a barbecue - and games.

A popular addition this year was the Dunk Tank which saw many Atoms players and volunteers dropped into a tank of water from a wooden seat, supported by a metal pole, above the tank.

That involved one of the main organisers of this year’s event, and club committee member, Sophie Lyden (below, left with Caitlin Stokes), who spoke to Beyond Radio post-dunk!

“It’s been amazing, we started off thinking that the weather wasn’t going to be great but the sun has come out, the inflatables have been an absolute treat and it’s been so busy," said Sophie, who is also known locally as 'The Tyre Lady' for her work at family business Westgate Tyres and as a champion of road safety.

“We’ve seen new faces and spoken to many families already asking about training and the age groups that people coach so that’s been really nice.

“Two people have asked to join the age group that I coach so I think that from today there will be a lot more talk about Heysham Atoms itself and hopefully a few more members joining us for the next season.

“The money raised will be so beneficial, we’ve put some investment already into the outside (of King George’s Playing Field) it would be great to do some more to the inside of it, the rest of the clubhouse and we can hopefully make that a lot bigger and have more of a function room.”

Those who would like to leave a donation to Heysham Atoms can find information on their Facebook page.

There is also information on who can join the club.

They train from January through to October in a variety of different age groups and teams, from open age men and ladies to junior boys and girls and men’s and ladies’ masters, for men over 35 and ladies over 30.