Reading Knights To Host Charity Game 8 December 2018
The Reading Knights, who play in the BUCS Division One South, have announced they will host a charity game later this season to raise funds for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), a charity that raises awareness of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS) and works to reduce the frequency of Young Sudden Cardiac Death (YSCD). The team are hosting the game in remembrance of their teammate Rockwell ‘Rocky’ Gayakaya. Devastatingly, Rocky passed away during a Knights training session last year following a suspected cardiac event.
The Knights, who opened their year with a 6-21 win over the Kingston Cougars in Week One, will host conference rivals the Surrey Stingers on 8 December 2018, with plans for the gameday to be a testimonial to Rocky’s memory with food and entertainment, all the while raising funds and awareness for their great cause.
You can support the Knights’ fundraising directly by contributing to their JustGiving page, sharing information about this event, and, of course, attending the game itself.
Mahmoud Abdelazem, President of the University of Reading Knights, shared with DC:
“The Knights are organising this memorial game to celebrate the memory of our teammate Rockwell ‘Rocky’ Gayakaya.
Rocky sadly passed away during a training session in November 2017 from a suspected cardiac event.
Though Rocky was a rookie with the team, joining during the 2017-18 season he touched all our lives during his short time with the team and as a result of his untimely passing forged a brotherhood between those who he left behind to ensure his memory would not be forgotten.
This game falls close to the one-year anniversary of his passing so the team decided to raise awareness and funds for a charity that helps tackle the issues surrounding cardiac issues with the young. This day means a lot to the team as they would like to see Rocky remembered whilst raising awareness around an issue which claims far too many lives.
We are predominantly looking for donations to assist C-R-Y and the work they do around the UK. We would love for the Britball community to assist us with this, by supporting and sharing our JustGiving campaign.
We are hoping to have food and entertainment available during the day, including a display by the Reading Knights Cheerleaders.”
The Knights take on the Stingers for the first time this season this weekend, in a flip of the original schedule as Surrey will host this Sunday and Reading hosting on December 8th. Support the Knights and Rocky’s memory by sharing and contributing to their JustGiving campaign, and by getting involved on gameday!
