BRADFORD Bulls chairman Marc Green is calling on fans who cannot get to Sunday’s game at Whitehaven to show their support for the family of Danny Jones by going to the Keighley Cougars game instead.
The Cougars, where the late Mr Jones was a stand-off, welcome Coventry Bears to Cougar Park at 3pm on Sunday.
Mr Jones, 29, fell ill playing in a Cougars match against London Skolars and passed away from a suspected cardiac arrest on Sunday.
Keighley have announced a third of gate receipts will be donated to the family of Mr Jones, who was a Welsh international, and leaves behind a wife and five-month-old twins.
The Bulls’ chief executive, Robbie Hunter-Paul, will be at Cougar Park, representing Bradford’s board of directors, as well as members of staff who have donated their time to assist in Keighley’s match day operations.
The Bulls are asking fans to join him, wearing the red, amber and black with pride while showing their support for the Danny Jones Fund.
Through a JustGiving webpage, over £77,000 has been raised so far and Keighley’s chairman, Gary Fawcett, is hoping to see the figure eventually surpass £1 million.
A packed out Cougar Park on Sunday will provide the fund with another massive boost.
Bulls chairman Marc Green - with managing director Steve Ferres and non-playing members of James Lowes’ first-team squad - will be conducting a bucket collection for the Danny Jones Fund at Whitehaven’s Recreation Ground, prior to kick-off on Sunday.
“Last Sunday, the sport of rugby league suffered a tragic loss with the death of Danny Jones,” said Mr Green.
“My thoughts go out to his young family and we as a club want to show as much support as possible.
“Although we are not playing at the Provident Stadium, Odsal, this weekend, we would like to do all we can, at both Cumbria and Keighley, to help raise funds.
“I myself, will be bucket collecting at Whitehaven and I would urge as many of you as possible, who are unable to make the long trip to Cumbria, to venture to Cougar Park and join Robbie Hunter-Paul in supporting Danny’s young family.
“The game is undoubtedly in mourning at this time but, together, we can rally and make a real difference to Danny’s wife and children’s lives. Although our efforts cannot bring Danny back, we hope they can certainly support all those connected to him at this incredibly difficult time.
“So far the response has been nothing short of remarkable, with the fund being well on the way to £100,000.”
The Bulls’ fundraising efforts began on Monday and the club said it was immensely touched by the generosity of supporters who had visited the stadium throughout the course of the week.
This week, during the Bulls’ Under-19s Academy Championship clash with Salford Red Devils Under-19s, collections were made, further demonstrating the effect this has had on the rugby league community.
On Tuesday it was announced that the Bradford Bulls Foundation will donate proceeds from a charity evening on Monday to the Danny Jones appeal.
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