Around 60 rugby fans were due to walk from Headlingley Stadium, home of Leeds Rhinos, to Wakefield Wildcats' Belle Vue ground a week on Sunday to raise money for the RFL Benevolent Fund.

The 'Leeds to Wakey Walk' had been arranged around that evening's game between the two sides, the idea being walkers would arrive at the ground just in time for kick-off.

But after all the arrangements were put in place, Sky Sports picked the game for live coverage, meaning it was brought forward to Friday. It also means that more than two thirds of the walkers have had to pull out because of work commitments, leading to the loss of thousands of pounds of sponsorship.

Undeterred by the blow, walk organiser Danny Frank is marching on with around 20 others, although he believes Sky owner Rupert Murdoch should stump up the lost sponsorship.

"It's a shame that we have had to change the date of the walk but the only alternative would have been to completely postpone it, which would have been a huge blow to the RFL Benevolent Fund and also to everyone who has worked on the planning of this event," he said.

"We had more than 60 people signed up for the walk, including a family from Cumbria and the family of the late Leon    Walker.

"I wonder if Mr Murdoch would be prepared to donate what these people had got on their sponsor forms – I doubt it! The only reason I can see behind this fixture change by Sky is to line their own pockets – what about the charity which we all wanted to raise money for?"

Danny and the others are determined not to lose sight of the most important thing though – raising money for the benevolent fund.

The fund helped the families of both Leon Walker and Wildcats first team player Adam Watene, who died during a training session.

Said Danny: "The passing of two Super League players in the last 12 months has brought home to many of us the importance of supporting the work of the RFL Benevolent Fund and will make the event particularly moving.

"As fans, we all get so much from the game that we wanted to do our bit for what is a great cause and give something back to the rugby league community."

The walk is set to leave from the South Stand car park at Headingley Carnegie Stadium at 12.45pm on July 10 and all fans are welcome to attend, either to join the walk or to help out. A support vehicle is still needed for the walk.

A celebration party will take place two days later on July 12 at The Sports Café in Leeds, with a charity auction, raffle and a cycling challenge being held to raise further funds for the charity. Organisers would love to hear from anyone willing to donate prizes.

To help our or give sponsorship, contact Danny Frank on 0773 8295510 or e-mail danny.frank@dlapiper.com