Castleford Tigers and Wakefield Wildcat supporters have organised two sponsored walks to boost the appeal to send 16-year-old Sky-Marie to Switzerland for pioneering therapy that will shrink a rare brain tumour and stop her going blind.

Die-hard Wildcats fan PC Mick Amos, of West Yorkshire Police, said: “Supporters decided to help Sky-Marie after reading about her plight in the Express and talking on a RL forum.

“We are the fans who played a big part in the fundraising for Brennan Rooney last year and hope to do the same for her.

“Wildcats are the fiercest rivals with Tigers but everyone wants to help Sky-Marie, and we are urging all fans to help and have some fun on the way.”

Friends, family and businesses have rallied round to raise cash for Sky-Marie’s therapy, with staff at the Asda CDC depot in Normanton donating hampers for raffle prizes last week.

Students at Pontefract NEW College – where Sky-Marie studied before being forced to quit because of her illness – raised more than £1,000 by dressing in blue at an activity day.

Sky-Marie’s mum Tracy, of Ambler Street, Castleford, said: “I can’t explain what it feels like to have all these people helping us.

“It’s unbelievable how a community can knit together – several raffles and events are taking place at local shops and pubs this week.

“We’ve raised about £3,000 so far but are still unsure of the details of Sky-Marie’s therapy.

“It’s just a waiting game.”

l The sponsored walkers will travel from Wildcats’ Belle Vue ground to Huddersfield Giants’ Galpharm Stadium on Saturday April 12, and from Belle Vue to The Jungle before Castleford Tigers clash with Wildcats on Saturday June 7.

For more details, or sponsorship forms, email PC Amos at mm105@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.

Forms are also available from the Pontefract and CastlefordExpress at 12 Bank Street, Castleford.