Fund raises close to R1-million

The Chris Burger Petro Jackson Players’ Fund commemorated its 30th anniversary in style in Johannesburg on Tuesday night when almost R1-million was raised for the victims of serious rugby injuries at its Bell’s Night of the Stars Rugby Extravaganza held at Montecasino.

SA Rugby

Rugby fans dug deep during a two-hour telethon broadcast live on SuperSport when they phoned through over R728,500 in pledges to members of the Springbok squad who once again showed their commitment to the Fund by manning the phones.

In addition, an amount of R226,000 was raised in an auction of sought-after memorabilia and lifestyle items – the most that has ever been raised during this part of the evening. A raffle raised an additional R23,600.

A rugby ball signed by the crew of the film Invictus, including director Clint Eastwood and actor Morgan Freeman, was sold for R40,000.

In addition, Quadriplegic Association of South Africa national director Ari Seirlis donated an educational bursary to one of the Fund’s recipients.

“I would like to thank everyone who attended the banquet and to those fans who phoned in to pledge some money towards the Fund,” said Chairman Morné du Plessis. “We couldn’t have asked for more and it made the occasion of our 30th anniversary all the more special.

“I would like to thank the Springbok team for their continued involvement; sponsors Bell’s, whose support has never wavered in all the years they’ve been a part of the event; media partners 94.7 Highveld Stereo, who helped us spread the word of the banquet and telethon; as well as SuperSport for their generous support which consisted of a two-hour live TV broadcast and everything that goes with such an ambitious production.”

The Fund was established in 1980 by Du Plessis after his teammate Chris Burger broke his neck and later died playing for WP. The event was attended by Burger’s daughter, Esmaré.

Also present were numerous past Springboks as well as former All Black wing John Kirwan, who is an ambassador for the New Zealand Tourism ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup.

The Night of the Stars also saw the launch of longtime Fund trustee Pat Tebbutt’s book The Samaritan of South African Rugby, a comprehensive history of the Fund since its establishment 30 years ago.

“It’s been quite a journey to record the history of the Fund,” said Tebbutt. “It’s been a labour of love and a story that needed to be told.”

“The Bell’s Old Scotch Whisky Team has been involved in raising money for the Chris Burger Petro Jackson Players’ Fund for the past decade and the latest Bell’s Night of the Stars was another incredible chapter in our association with them,” said Dominic Malan, marketing manager of Bell’s Extra Special Old Scotch Whisky. “The evening was a fantastic success and proved yet again just how passionate South Africans are about rugby and just how caring they are about those who have been injured playing the game.”

Tags: Chris Burger Pedro Jackson Fund