Bruce Reihana's big year to benefit Macmillan
A legendary Northampton rugby player has pledged his support for the Chronicle & Echo and Macmillan Cancer Support's campaign to raise £1.5 million for Northampton General Hospital as he enters his testimonial year.
Bruce Reihana, aged 34, one of the Saints' longest serving players, is this month beginning a testimonial year, which will see the popular player's testimonial committee setting up a series of fundraising events until it ends in June 2011.
Testimonial year's enable supporters and businesses to show their support for players, but Bruce and the testimonial committee, are also using the year to show his appreciation for the town and will donate some of the funds raised to the appeal to build a new haematology unit.
Bruce told the Chronicle & Echo: "The biggest thing I wanted to do was to give something back to the town and supporting the campaign seemed like a good opportunity for the Testimonial Committee. What is more helpful to a town than the local hospital? Cancer is something that is everywhere and you never know when it is going to affect someone you know.
"I'm definitely looking forward to this year. I remember in the first couple of years of being here I was trying really hard to stay because the people were so supportive and the crowds worked week in and week out to make me want to come out and do my best. I thrived here because I knew the club and the people were so supportive and I just wanted to be a part of that.
"I am lucky the fans have really taken to me and I am very lucky to have my own chant and I really want to do something to show my appreciation."
The cause is particularly close to Bruce's heart as he lost his brother Steve, who was only in his 30s, to cancer around three years ago.
"I was over here and he was in New Zealand when he passed away. It was hard being so far away but the club was really helpful and put me on a plane back to New Zealand."
John Sharp, chairman of the testimonial committee, said: "The more the events raise the more we will be able to donate to Bruce's chosen charity, Macmillan. Bruce has been a very popular player and I am sure a lot of people will want to show their appreciation."
Bruce has already shown his support for Macmillan by starting its MacRide at Silverstone last weekend. The official launch party of the testimonial year takes place on September 15 followed by a supporters' dinner on Thursday, September 23. For information on future events visit www.brucereihana.com
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