We catch up with Freya Walker to hear about her fund raiser...
With restrictions starting to ease, rugby training for seniors is slowly starting to come back, but Women’s XV player Freya Walker is keeping fit during May by another means too - and is raising vital funds for charity in the process.
The 18-year-old sport and exercise science first year student at Napier University is running 5k a day this month for Breast Cancer Research UK which is a charity close to her heart.
“Myself, my older brother Blyth and my older sister Helen decided to take on the challenge to run 5k a day for 31 days because our mum Yvonne was diagnosed with breast cancer a few months ago,” Freya explains.
“Mum has had treatment and is recovering well, but the news at the time and what she has gone through subsequently has really impacted on us as a family and we wanted to get involved in this fund raiser to say thank you to everyone who has helped along the way and also raise awareness of how important it is to go to screenings and catch breast cancer early.
“We are all pretty fit so it has been okay running 5k a day so far, but later in the month it might become tougher and the more money we can raise the easier it will be to complete the runs towards the tail end of the month.
“My sister is in Dundee, my brother is in Stirling and I am here in Edinburgh, so we have been doing it remotely and, as well as donating if they can, we are also keen for friends and family to join us on some of our runs and I will be looking to rope some of my Watsonians team mates into getting involved soon!”
At time of writing the Walker siblings have already raised over £2,300 which is amazing, but they could always do with more for a great cause, so if you are able to donate visit here.
Freya, who normally plays No.8 on the rugby field, grew up in Stirling and played for Stirling County through the youth set-up and has been involved in the Scotland Futures programme.
When she moved to Edinburgh last August she linked up with the Women’s XV at the club and although they have not been able to play any matches since then she has enjoyed becoming part of the group.
“Throughout the last few months training has had to be modified as per Government and Scottish Rugby guidelines, but head coach Freddie Main and others in charge of sessions have made them varied and interesting,” Freya explains.
“As someone coming into a new club and a senior set-up for the first time it could have been a bit daunting, but everyone at Watsonians made me feel very welcome straight away and it has been good to get to know the girls and train with them.
“I am learning from more experienced players around me and enjoying it.”
Fingers crossed we will see Freya playing for the Women’s XV one day in the future when competitive matches are allowed to resume.
Words by Gary Heatly
Freya is pictured out for a run with dad David
If this story has made you keen to get involved with the Women’s XV, we would love to hear from you, please contact Women's & Girls Rugby Captain Emily Cotterill via women@watsoniansrugby.com
If there is someone connected with WFC who you would like to see featured via the website please email media@watsoniansrugby.com
