News
Sports Minister 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 captained by Sports Minister, Gerry Sutcliffe MP, and included former Bulls legends Robbie Paul, Paul Newlove, Keith Mumby, Henderson Gill and Jon Hamer played against a Bradford Sixty Five Roses team along with other CF Trust supporters 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. Leeds Rugby Foundations General Manager Chris Rostron and Starr Zaman, Connecting Communities, both supported the event by taking part.
The game was played as a curtain raiser to the Sky televised Bulls Engage Super League game against Wigan Warriors.
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.
Sports Minister, Gerry Sutcliffe, said "he was honoured to captain the Bradford Bulls All Stars team and hoped that the game would become an annual event. He added, "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.
Cllr Anne Hawksworth, portfolio holder for Environment & Culture commented "We are delighted to be hosting this unique event in Bradford and supporting such a worthy cause".
Former Bulls legend John Hamer, who had been busy getting the Bradford Bulls All Stars team together commented, "The team is all very proud to be helping such a worthy cause. It's so sad that young lives can be taken away so suddenly by this condition".
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 im 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 at www.cftrust.org.uk
