Saints Supporting Tonga OFA ATU TONGA

St Helens R.F.C. are raising money to help our friends in Tonga. Many will know we have a number of Tongan players in our squad specifically Konrad Hurrell, Will Hopoate and Agnatius Paasi whilst our Head Coach Kristian Woolf is also the Tongan National Coach.

On the 15th of January, an ash cloud and tsunami engulfed the islands of Tonga. The tsunami was caused by an eight-minute eruption of the undersea volcano, located about 40 miles north of Tongatapu, Tongas main island, on which about 70 percent of the population live.

The Government of Tonga and humanitarian partners reported on Wednesday the 26th of January, that the entire population of Tonga (approximately 105,000 people) has been impacted by the ash and the tsunami. The damage created is catastrophic to the people of Tonga, destroying family homes, infrastructure, crops, water supplies, and much more.

Here at Saints we want to do out bit to help. Saints fans are being asked to either donate old replica playing shirts, old rugby balls and any other sports equipment to the Club and/or their community rugby league clubs as we prepare to ship items over to Tonga to help rebuild their infrastructure which has been completely wiped out.

The Club will be kicking things off by supplying 250 shirts from our existing stock whilst our St Helens players will also be donating old training gear and other sports/clothing items to our friends in Tonga.

The Saints will then work with partners Home Bargains and Red Cross to ship the container to Tonga with YOUR donations making a huge difference to their people after the volcano-hit island was left in ruins. By doing this we will at least be helping sport to be played again on the Island, through their communities and schools.

This fundraising page will help fund the container and will also give those who do not have any clothing or equipment the opportunity to donate and show support for Tonga.

Any donations are greatly welcomed and we thank you for your support.

On behalf of our friends in Tonga,

Thank you