09/03/2010

Gerry leads out Rugby Legends for Charity

Rugby stars past and present along with members of the local community came together in a charity touch rugby match at the Bradford Bulls Grattan stadium, and raised over £10,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust (CFT).

The Bradford Bulls All Stars were captained by Gerry, and included former Bulls legends Robbie Paul, Paul Newlove, Keith Mumby, Henderson Gill and Jon Hamer. They played against a Bradford Sixty Five Roses team along with other CF Trust supporters and were captained by former GB & Wigan legend Steve Hampson. Other notable players who took part were England's first British Muslim, Ikram Butt, and former internationals Graham Hallas, Jason Critchley, Paul Atcheson.

The game was played as a curtain raiser to the Sky televised Bulls Engage Super League game against Wigan Warriors last Friday, which the Bulls won in thrilling fashion 22-20.

The curtain raiser did not disappoint the spectators with the Bulls All Stars displaying some of the flair & skills that made them great. The Bulls stormed ahead with two successive tries early on and at first it looked liked that they were going to be run away victors. However, as the game went on the Bradford Sixty Five Roses team was able to show their superior fitness and a bit of luck to eventually run out winners of the exciting contest.

After the game Gerry said, "I was honoured to captain the Bradford Bulls All Stars team and hope the game becomes an annual event. I am pleased and delighted to be able to raise funds and awareness for such a debilitating condition".

Bradford Council's department of Culture, Tourism & Sport had grown a large quantity of roses to sell during the game with all proceeds going towards CF Trust.

Ikram Butt, the Connecting Communities Manager and Managing Director of the British Asian Rugby Association had been integral in putting the event together along with a collaboration of partners including the Bradford Bulls, Bradford Council's Sport & Leisure Service, Bradford College, Connecting Communities and the GB All Stars is donating half of his profits from his autobiography Tries & Prejudice commented,

"I have been supporting the CF Trust for the last three years and am delighted that once again this year I am able to do so".

Riz Mughal, of Stadbrookes Solicitors was one of six members from the local community to raise over £250 and thus given the opportunity to take part in the event commented "It was a great event and personally for me to play alongside and against rugby legends was a big thrill and I'm already looking forward to next year's event".

Tina Davies - Johnstone, funding raising manager - Yorkshire, for the CF Trust, was delighted with the support from all partners involved and the money that was raised commented "To raise £10,000 in such difficult times with the recession and the financial economy is a tremendous achievement and my heart goes out to all the people that dug deep into their pockets and gave their precious time for the cause".

Further information on the CF Trust can be found on http://www.cftrust.org.uk/