Ref Robert aiming for ‘summit’ of his career

Robert Hicks

TOP rugby league referee Robert Hicks is to climb Mount Kilimanjaro with some of the sport’s true legends — and then take charge as they play the world’s highest-altitude match.

The World Record Spectrum Kilimanjaro Challenge 2015 sees Robert, from Oldham, join Adrian Morley of Salford Red Devils, retired legends Lee Briers, Barrie McDermott, Garreth Carvell, Chico Jackson, Mike Wainwright, Neil Harmon and Alan Hunte, among others, tackle the mountain, in Tanzania, to raise funds and awareness for the Steve Prescott Foundation (SPF).

Former rugby league star Steve was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 32 and took on a number of extreme physical challenges for charity while battling the disease.

He strongly believed that illness and disability should not prevent a person undertaking personal goals and was awarded an MBE in 2009. He died in 2013.

Super League referee Robert, a former Hulme Grammar School pupil, said: “I must be mad. I’m really looking forward to taking the challenge on. I’m both nervous and excited.

“The climb itself will be tough enough but playing a full game of rugby league afterwards is going to be hard work.

“Steve Prescott was such an inspirational man and never did anything that wasn’t a challenge so this will be a great tribute to him.

“It has always been an ambition to do something like this so when I got the opportunity I just had to do it.”

The team of 36 will be climbing the 19,341ft mountain in just six days instead of the usual nine days, starting on October 15.

Also taking part is actor Matthew Lewis, who played Neville Longbottom in the Harry Potter films.

Once at the summit they will attempt the Guinness Book of Records world record for the highest altitude rugby match at Kosovo Camp.

They will be split into two teams and play a full 80 minutes.

Each climber aims to raise £4000 each for SPF, which will go to three charities it supports — the Christie Hospital, Try Assist and the Oxford Transplant Foundation.

Just to add a little more pressure to the challenge for Robert, if he drops out the world record attempt is off as the match must have an official Rugby Football League registered referee in charge.

He added: “In order for it to be a world record I need to be there. I think the game can still be played with a player or two missing but there has to be an RFL official in charge.

“No pressure then.”

Martin Blondel, the general manager of the SPF, said: “This challenge epitomises Steve Prescott’s legacy.

“Steve would be elated so many people have stepped forward to take up this epic challenge and break a world record in the process. Every pound raised on this challenge takes us a step closer to the magical million pounds raised by the SPF.”

The event is sponsored by the Manchester based Spectrum Group, a supplier of support services in the industrial sector.

To donate visit Robert’s Just Giving Page at www.justgiving.com/robert-hicks-kili2015

Robert is also holding a Call My Wine Bluff evening at the Three Crowns Restaurant and Inn, Scouthead, on Wednesday, from 7pm, to also raise funds for SPF.