Calling on all Rugby League fans to support the Beau 6 Campaign

Rugby league fans across the UK were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of 12-year-old Beau Hewitt, a devoted Manly Sea Eagles supporter who lost his brave battle with cancer back in March.

Beau touched the lives of players, staff and supporters alike, and in response to his death, two sets of bereaved parents have launched a memorial initiative - Geoff and Irene Burrow, parents of Leeds Rhinos legend, Rob Burrow CBE, who sadly lost his battle with motor neurone disease in June 2024, as well as Andrew Foster and Catherine Alport, parents of Rycroft Alport Foster.

Andrew recently teamed up with London Broncos and helped inspire ‘Emilia’s Big Day’ - a family fun day to raise awareness on the importance of stem cell donors and transplants, after tragically losing his son in 2022.

These families, having experienced the comfort that the rugby league community provided during their own losses, wish to extend the same support to Beau's family.

The Memorial Initiative/Collection

The parents are coordinating a UK-wide appeal for:

• Jerseys from clubs across all levels
• Letters and cards of condolence from rugby league fans throughout the country
• Messages of support from the rugby league community

The collection will serve as a lasting tribute to Beau, demonstrating that despite the distance, he has not been forgotten and that people across the world care about him and his family.

Beau's family are aware of and fully supportive of this initiative, with contact facilitated through the Manly Sea Eagles.

How-to Guide: Contributing to the Beau 6 Campaign

This initiative comes from Geoff and Irene Burrow, Andrew Foster and Catherine Alport, the parents of Rob Burrow CBE and Rycroft Alport Foster, who experienced firsthand the comfort that the wider rugby league community provided during their own times of loss.

They want to pay that support forward to another family in need, demonstrating the global reach and compassion of our rugby league family.

How You Can Help:

The UK rugby league community are coming together to support the family of Beau Hewitt, a 12-year-old Manly Sea Eagles fan who recently lost his battle with cancer.

Here’s how you can contribute to this meaningful campaign...

Sending Letters and Cards

Address for all correspondence:

BEAU 6, PO BOX 13656, COLCHESTER CO7 9XA

What to Send:

• Letters of condolence
• Cards with personal messages
• Photos or drawings (if appropriate)

Writing Your Message - Guidance and Suggestions:

There is no right or wrong way to write a letter of condolence. However, if you’re unsure what to say, here are some helpful suggestions:

• Think about similarities and shared experiences that you may have with Beau and his family, despite the geographical distance - perhaps a love of rugby league, family experiences, or simply being part of the same global rugby league community.
• Don’t be afraid to keep your message short - sometimes the most powerful messages are the simplest ones
• Use natural, simple language - write as you would speak, from the heart
• Remember that the feeling of “there are no right words” is very common. Beau’s family and the families of Rob Burrow CBE and Rycroft Alport Foster understand that there are no words that can make up for the loss they have each suffered. The act of taking the time to show you care is the most important thing, not the specific words you use.

Jersey Donations

Clubs from the Betfred Super League, Betfred Championship, Betfred League One and community game are invited to donate a single jersey:

• Any season, any size
• Particularly meaningful if it includes Beau’s name and his favourite number (6) on the back
• Clubs from any competition or level of the game are also welcome to contribute

The Goal:

All contributions will be collected and transported to Australia as a lasting token of support for Beau’s family - showing that even from thousands of miles away, he has not been forgotten and that people care about him and his loved ones.