England Wheelchair star Lewis King appointed RL Cares ambassador

Lewis has been a mainstay of the England Wheelchair team since 2018 and was a try-scorer in their 28-24 victory over France in the World Cup final two years ago.

In 2023, the London Roosters player became the inaugural winner of the Wheels of Steel award, the wheelchair equivalent of Man of Steel.

Lewis has been a wheelchair user since 2009, when a blood clot in his spinal cord left him unable to walk unaided. He began playing wheelchair rugby in 2016 and was selected to play for the national team just two years later.

“I’m thrilled to be working with Rugby League Cares to help raise awareness of the charity’s activities, which I know from first-hand experience make such a positive difference to the lives of so many people,” said Lewis.

“Wellbeing support from RL Cares is embedded in the Wheelchair Rugby League programme, and the presence of Francis Stephenson within the elite squads continues to be an important part of our story.”

RL Cares Chief Executive Chris Rostron said: “We’re delighted to welcome Lewis to our ambassadors’ programme and are really grateful for his support and enthusiasm for the work we do.

“Looking after the wellbeing of Rugby league players involved in all forms of the sport is at the heart of what we do and it’s a real privilege to be able support the wheelchair programme.

“Having Lewis as an ambassador will help the charity tell its story to a wider audience and raise awareness of what we’re all about.”