Wakefield Trinity head coach Daryl Powell has said his family have “stuck together” after his grandson Clarke was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in January.
The club are raising money for Candlelighters Trust, external, which provides practical and emotional support to children with cancer in Yorkshire, at Sunday’s home game against Leigh (14:30 BST) which will be broadcast live on BBC2.
“It has been a really difficult and emotional time for my family, especially for my daughter Kegan and her husband Eamonn,” he told BBC Radio Leeds.
“It’s very difficult for families when something like this happens, particularly when it is someone so young – he was just before his first birthday when he went into hospital.”
Powell added: “He’s had six months of constant treatment. LGI [Leeds General Infirmary] and the oncology ward have been unbelievable in treating Clarke.
“We’ve done what families do and stuck together and supported one another.
“It’s the start of a journey and we’re hopeful that he’s going to be well. He’s happy and smiling at the moment whilst still going through a very difficult time.
“He’s been very brave and handled it so, so well. We’re hoping he doesn’t remember anything of it.”
