Two more launch venues for WRL charity publication announced

Two more venues have been confirmed for the launch weekend for the new WRL-approved charity magazine, which is being published to raise money for “The Danny Jones Defibrillator Fund” and “Scott’s Angels”.

The publication entitled “100 Months of Rugby League in Wales” will go to the clubs where the players who the causes were created for – Scott Bessant and Danny Jones – started out in rugby league.

On Saturday 4^th May, it will be on sale at New Panteg RFC, the new home of Torfaen Tigers RLFC as they take on Swindon St George (kick-off 2.30pm) in their first home match of the new Southern Conference League season.

Then on Sunday 5^th May, it will be on sale in the club shop at The MBI Shay Stadium before the Betfred Championship match between Halifax RLFC and Barrow Raiders (kick-off 3pm).

This is in addition to the official launch at the Welsh Charitables RFC dinner on Friday 3^rd May at the Mercure Holland House Hotel in Cardiff, as announced last week.

“Scott’s Angels” was created to raise money for the family of former Torfaen Tigers rugby league player and coach Scott Bessant. In the early hours of August 13th 2017, Scott was found unconscious with multiple fractures to his skull, a fractured neck, broken ribs and a fractured pelvis. No witnesses have come forward to any attack and the police have found nothing. Scott, a father of two, is alive but is in a vegetative state. His family and friends continue to fundraise to give him some quality of life.

Torfaen chairman Matt Cummings said: “We’re delighted to be hosting the Welsh club launch of ‘100 Months of Rugby League in Wales’. Scott was and still is a big part of Torfaen Tigers and we’re delighted to be honouring him in this way. We continue to support his recovery and we’ll do whatever we can to help his family.”

Scott’s sister Sian Chere said: “We as a family are doing everything we can to one day bring our Scotty home. Since this horrific night of August 13th 2017, our parents have been at our Scotty’s bedside every day. As the saying goes, ‘Where there is life there is hope’ and that’s what we truly believe, that our Scotty is still here for a reason – he’s a true warrior.

“We are truly Blessed to be surrounded by so much love and support from our community of Torfaen. Very soon we’ll be able to buy the vehicle our Scotty so desperately needs. So from the bottom of our hearts, the Bessant family thank you for your continued support.”

“The Danny Jones Defibrillator Fund” raises money to purchase defibrillators for community rugby league clubs and junior teams across the country. These defibrillators cost around £1,000 each and provide potentially life-saving treatment to anyone suffering a cardiac arrest. The charity is named after the Halifax-born Wales RL international who died on the field whilst playing for Keighley Cougars on May 3^rd 2015 after suffering a cardiac arrest that was caused by a previous undetected, hereditary, heart disease.

Halifax RLFC coach Richard Marshall said: “It’s a pleasure to be one of the host venues for this charity magazine. Obviously, “The Danny Jones Defibrillator Fund” is close to our hearts here in Halifax, and is the immensely strong Welsh links that we currently have in Halifax both now and in the past. We recently contributed five of our players to Wales’ 25-man squad for the qualifiers and this, along with many other successes, is a big feature in the publication.”

Danny’s widow Lizzie Jones said: “I’m delighted that the publication is to receive a launch in Halifax. The legacy that Danny has left is priceless. The lives that the fund has saved and changed so far is more than I could have ever imagined. Initially I set out to save just one family from going through what we went through. This has happened as well as lots more. The support I have received for the charity has been overwhelming and it continues to grow every day. Thank you.”

Supporters can pre-order the publication and request to pick up in either Cardiff, Torfaen or Halifax. If pre-ordered by Friday 13^th April, their name or organisation will appear in the inside cover. Please go to https://www.walesrugbyleague.co.uk/magazine for more details and to order.