Family walk Hadrian’s Wall to honour Leicester Tigers rugby star

Viola Hazlerigg, 31, from Queen’s Park, will walk the distance in four days, starting from Carlisle today (Friday), to raise money for Brain Tumour Research and The Brain Tumour Charity.

She will be joined by her twin sisters, Eliza and Amelia, 36, and their brother, William, 38.

They will remember their father, Arthur Hazlerigg, who played for Leicester Tigers Rugby Club and died of a glioblastoma in March 2022, aged 71.

The 3rd Baron Hazlerigg and 15th Baronet, who had a family home at Noseley Hall in Leicestershire, was born in May 1951 and played 98 games for Tigers between 1977 and 1981.

He made his debut in the second row at Headingley in February 1977 and played most of the following three seasons, including the club’s first John Player Cup Final appearance against Gloucester and the win over Moseley at Twickenham in 1979.

Viola, William, Eliza, and Amelia walk Hadrian’s Wall in memory of dad Arthur (Image: Brain Tumour Research) Viola said: “Some of our happiest memories with Dad are of long walks through beautiful countryside, sharing stories and putting the world to rights so this feels like the perfect way to honour him.

“Most people do the walk in six days, but we’ve set ourselves the challenge of finishing in four, the same day as Dad’s birthday.

“We’ll be walking eight to nine hours a day, and we’ve been getting the miles in with plenty of practice around London parks and along the Thames.

“I think we all feel ready, and really proud to take this on.”

Hazlerigg siblings complete Jurassic Coast trek in prep for Hadrian’s Wall (Image: Brain Tumour Research)

Lord Hazlerigg was diagnosed with an inoperable egg-sized brain tumour after experiencing limb weakness.

Despite radiotherapy and chemotherapy, the cancer was too aggressive, and he died 16 months after he was diagnosed.

The family is almost halfway to their £50,000 fundraising target.

If you’ve been inspired to donate to Brain Tumour Research via Viola’s Hadrian’s Wall Walk please visit: www.givewheel.com/fundraising/6184/walk-the-wall-for-arthur/

The challenge comes just two weeks before Viola will tie the knot with fiancé, Tom, at the church where her dad is buried.

She said: “There still seems to be a real knowledge gap between brain tumours and other types of cancer.

“The brain is incredibly complex, and that’s why more investment in research is urgently needed, to find gentler treatments and, ultimately, a cure.

“We hope our challenge can play even a small part in helping drive those advances, just as we’ve seen with other cancers.”