As the British and Irish Lions tour kicks off with 40,000 enthusiastic fans across Australia, one particular story stands out— the inspirational journey of the Hardman family. Stan Sport recently spotlighted this English family of five, who have embarked on an extraordinary nine-game caravan trip across the country, beginning in Perth and culminating in a final stop in Sydney, after visiting various cities including Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, and Melbourne.
The family made a significant life change after Kate, now 40, was diagnosed with stage four metastatic breast cancer in 2023. Despite the grim diagnosis, which is deemed incurable, Kriss, Kate’s husband and a testicular cancer survivor himself, remarked, “Cancer has been devastating for us at times, but it’s also been that real kick up the backside to get us out there.” He believed that their family’s ordeal had changed their perspective on life, prompting them to seize opportunities like this Lions tour. “I don’t think we would have gone on this Lions tour had this not happened,” he added.
Kate’s battle with cancer began shortly after her first child’s birth in 2017 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. After undergoing treatment, including a mastectomy, she was initially cancer-free, but a new diagnosis came during her third pregnancy, prompting the family to reassess their priorities. This led them to sell their home and invest in a caravan, allowing them to create lasting memories together.
Stan Sport’s Michael Atkinson featured a heartfelt video from Lions star Fin Smith, who reached out to the Hardman family, acknowledging their remarkable story and expressing hope for their enjoyment on the tour. “I know there’s a lot of you squeezing into that van, but I hope it’s nice! Looking forward to hopefully seeing you guys at some of the games,” Smith told them.
Kriss spoke openly about their challenges, sharing the shock of facing cancer at a young age. He stated, “We felt pretty unlucky… But you have your moment of feeling sorry for yourself… then you think, ‘what are we going to do about it?’ That is why we have decided to live our lives fully.” Having spent over 25 years in rugby, Kriss expressed how the sport creates unrivalled friendships, reinforcing the importance of community in their lives amidst adversity.
In addition to their emotional journey, they hold a lighthearted spirit about the Lions’ competition, with Kriss jokingly expressing his delight in rallying against Australian teams. He remarked on the camaraderie among fans, underscoring how the sport fosters connections, even between rival supporters.
While the family navigates this challenging chapter, their legacy of resilience and joy serves as an inspiration, epitomising the spirit of family, adventure, and the unifying power of rugby.