On September 25th, 2024, Ryan Barnes, Senior Quantity Surveyor at B&E Boys, tragically lost his brother-in-law, Liam Canning. At the time of his passing, Liam’s wife, Paige, was 32 weeks pregnant with their son. Liam was a man of exceptional strength and determination, always pushing himself to new limits—whether cycling up Pen-y-Ghent at sunrise or spontaneously running a half marathon from his living room. His resilience and unwavering positivity continue to inspire those who knew him. In his memory, and to support the LooseHeadz foundation, his family and friends have committed to two significant fundraising challenges.
The first event, taking place tomorrow, will see over 60 participants, including Liam’s three-month-old son, Liam Junior, undertaking the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge. This 24-mile hike across three of Yorkshire’s most famous peaks—Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside, and Ingleborough—was something Liam had planned to do himself, having shared a love for hiking with his family and friends. Ryan will be among those completing the challenge, ensuring that Liam’s adventurous spirit lives on.
The second event, the Leeds Marathon on May 11th, 2025, will be a powerful tribute to Liam’s passion for endurance. Paige, who has been training since just seven weeks after her C-section, will be running 26.2 hilly miles alongside her best friend April, and many of Liam’s closest friends and rugby teammates. Running was second nature to Liam, who often encouraged Paige by telling her, “It’s just one foot in front of the other.” That mindset has helped her navigate life since his passing. Ryan will also be taking on this challenge, demonstrating his dedication to honouring Liam’s legacy.
With a fundraising target of £6,000—symbolic of Liam’s rugby position—every donation will contribute to LooseHeadz, a charity dedicated to improving mental health support within the rugby community. LooseHeadz aims to place a mental health lead in every rugby club worldwide, providing free resources to help players, coaches, and fans. Currently working with over 1,200 clubs across 28 countries, the charity is striving to raise £1 million to expand its support services further.