Tigers have enjoyed long-term links with rugby in New Zealand and supporters showed their support for the stricken area by buying all-black wristbands and making donations at the Aviva Premiership match against Saracens at Welford Road. Topped up by a donation from the club, a total of £20,000 was raised on the day. Thank you to both sets of supporters for your generosity.
The club’s Kiwi players have also organised two auctions of signed merchandise to further boost the fund-raising towards earthquake relief funds in the Christchurch area of New Zealand.
Tigers have worked closely with friends at Crusaders Rugby in Christchurch to identify a suitable community cause and have agreed to support a charitable trust which will help families enjoy their rugby even if their livelihoods have been affected by the earthquake.
Former All Black star Aaron Mauger, Tigers supporters’ player of the year in 2009 and now professional development manager at Crusaders, has assisted in this work.
He said: “Tim Gilkison, our Community Rugby Officer for the CRFU, suggested that the money could be used to help pay subs and help families who can’t afford to buy boots for their children in the worst-affected areas in Christchurch.
“A lot of families have been affected financially because factories and offices have been destroyed.”
The Tigers donation will be held in the Canterbury Rugby Earthquake Relief Charitable Trust and allocated to those would otherwise have been unable to play rugby due to insufficient equipment.
Aaron added: “The support nationally and internationally has been overwhelming and the generosity of the Leicester Tigers community is gratefully appreciated.
“We hope supporters can take comfort in the fact that the money has come from one rugby community to help another on the other side of the world, providing opportunities for potential future stars of the game. Your help will mean a great deal to those who will benefit from the funds raised.”
Tigers chairman Peter Tom CBE said: “We are delighted that the money raised among our supporters can help young people enjoy their rugby where perhaps they would have been denied that opportunity due to the implications of the earthquake in their home city.
“We’ve had long-lasting relationships with the rugby community in New Zealand and Kiwi players, and I am thrilled the Club is able to help.”
