Cape Town - Next Saturday’s (May 12) Super Rugby action taking place in South Africa will be dedicated to the fundraising efforts of the Chris Burger Petro Jackson Players’ Fund, with the target set at R50 000.
The Stormers will be hosting the Chiefs at Newlands (15:05), while the Bulls host the Sharks in the later game at Loftus Versfeld (17:15).
Serious injuries happen at all levels of the game and can happen in the blink of an eye, in spite of all precautions being taken to prevent them.
The Chris Burger Petro Jackson Players’ Fund partners rugby players who have sustained life changing injuries, most of which are disabling and extremely challenging for not only for them but also their families.
Help from the Players’ Fund starts from field-side, to their hospital beds, throughout the often lengthy rehabilitation process, once back home and then indefinitely.
With 107 former players around the country now members of the Players' Fund, it is not difficult to imagine the level of funding needed to keep the brave young men mobile, healthy and motivated. It is the Players’ Fund’s role to ensure no rugby player is ever forgotten and has, since 1980 strived to live up to the reputation of being rugby’s caring hands.
Next Saturday, the Super Rugby matches at Newlands and Loftus Versfeld will be dedicated to the Players’ Fund’s fundraising activities which will be taking place throughout the day as well as in the week leading up to the matches.
At both venues a local rugby team dressed in Players’ Fund branded t-shirts will be collecting change from spectators, while also promoting the use of an SMS line which will enable the public to SMS “Rugby” followed by their name to 49701 at a cost of R30/sms (network & admin fees apply) which will go towards the cause.
“I am grateful for all those who have been instrumental in the dedication of these two matches to the fundraising efforts of the Players’ Fund. It is my belief that if we are supporting rugby, we need to support those whose lives are changed through the game too," said former Springbok captain Morne du Plessis, who is the chairperson of the Players’ Fund.
SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux added: "The Players' Fund do magnificent work in assisting rugby players who have suffered life-changing injuries and we are not only very grateful to them, but also very happy to be partnering with them in this great initiative, along with our Super Rugby franchises."
If you would like any further information on the Players’ Fund or to pledge further support, please call (021) 659 5615 or email events@playersfund.org.za.
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