Fundraising to help paralysed sportsmen [1]
Tuesday, September 23, 2008 - 17:00. Updated on Thursday, September 11, 2014 - 15:40.
A public raffle to raise funds to help the two paralysed Aussie Rules players, Paumolevuka Tu'i (18) and Mafua Kiokata (22) hospitalised after a tragic accident in August, was launched in Nuku'alofa today.
Bruce Shaw, the organiser, hopes to raise at least $20,000 pa'anga by raffling off a replica of the rugby jersey worn and personally signed by the World XV rugby players who played against the Tongan XV team in honour of the king's Coronation.
The World XV players included former England Sevens Ben Gollings, former All Blacks Josh Kronfield and Colin Charvis of Wales.
Bruce, a Site Manager for Fletcher Royco said tickets are being sold at $2 each at the Molisi Tonga Supermarket where the jersey is being publicly displayed in a cedar frame, and it will be displayed at different business venues in Nuku'alofa in the coming weeks. The raffle will be drawn in seven weeks time.
He said an auction night would be held in four weeks time at Billfish Bar and Restaurant to auction off another valuable replica of the jersey personally signed by King George Tupou V, and many other prizes, including returned airline tickets to Auckland, donated by Air New Zealand.
"I hope that by initiating the raffle fundraising it would get people motivated to help with the plight of the two young men whether it is to help pay for their physio or other needs."
Bruce revealed that after reading about the tragic accident involving the two boys on the Matangitonga Online he was quite saddened, at the same time he was motivated to do something and initiated a raffle for his World XV jersey to raise funds for the boys.
In the meantime a trust account in the name of the two boys has been set up to receive donations and funds from the raffle.
People wanting to make donations to the trust can contact Bruce Shaw directly at austonga [at] gmail [dot] com.
See also: Accident shatters dreams of two talented sportsmen [2]