RAF serviceman to complete 400-mile charity cycle ride in friend’s memory

RAF serviceman Samuel Roberts is currently taking part in a 400-mile cycle ride over four days between four RAF stations in memory of his belated RAF Rugby League teammate. 

Corporal Samuel Roberts, from Warrington, is completing the challenge to raise money for two causes close to his heart – the RAF’s leading welfare charity, the RAF Benevolent Fund, and the Rugby League Benevolent Fund.

Sam is a survival equipment technician and has been serving in the RAF for nine years, currently based at RAF Odiham. 

Sam decided to take on the challenge in memory of his beloved RAF Rugby League teammate Scott Stevenson, known as Stevo, who passed away in 2019, aged 25, from a subdural haematoma. This was caused by an impact to the head during a very physical game playing against the Army; Stevo received 21 hard hitting tackles in which four of them impacted his head.

Sam’s challenge started on Wednesday 13 September at RAF Odiham and will finish up on Saturday 16 September in Harrogate to lay the ‘Stevo Game Ball’ at Stevo’s resting place.

Sam met Stevo on a pre-recruit training course in 2013. Bunking just a few beds away from each other, they instantly started talking about their love for Rugby and the exciting career ahead in the Royal Air Force. They both became involved with the RAF Rugby League association and from there, a friendship blossomed.

Sam said: "I remember watching him play for the first time when the RAF played the Royal Navy at RAF Cranwell; he was unbelievable! Stevo was always involved in the first team plans straight off due to his talent, and it wasn’t until 2017 when I started to be introduced into the first team that we became proper teammates.”

Sam said: "Stevo had and still has a massive impact on the Royal Air Force Rugby League association, and I wanted to create something to keep this inspirational and kind-hearted soul in our thoughts. It was over one night while looking through Stevo’s Instagram photos that I generated the thought of creating a challenge in honour of Stevo and his remarkable family, and thus ‘Cycle for Stevo’ was born."

He continued: "This challenge is already very special to me as its offering up so much opportunity for people to voice their wonderful words on Stevo. While broadcasting the mechanics of the challenge through the Cycle for Stevo Instagram page, we are posting photos of Stevo with other players, with those individuals quoting what Stevo means to them on and off the field. My mind and body are ready, and if I have half the determination and grit that Stevo possessed then I know this challenge will be a breeze!"

Sam has raised over £3000 to date for his two chosen charities.

You can donate to Sam’s fundraiser for the RAF Benevolent Fund here.