England rugby legends Martin Johnson and Graham Rowntree helped raise $3000 for the Jarrod Cunningham Youth Sport Trust recently.
Martin Johnson, a World Cup winning captain and current England coach, was a surprise guest at the charity fundraiser in Napier.
Jarrod Cunningham Youth Sport Trust spokesperson Damon Harvey said the charity event had a late set back with the news expected guest speaker Rob Andrew had to suddenly return to the United Kingdom but Johnson’s arrival was a massive coup.
Johnson and Rowntree were joined by six England players including two players from Jarrod’s former club London Irish.
“That was a set back for us but to get Martin along was massive and we’re incredibly grateful to the England rugby team for getting players and management along to the function.
“Martin and Graham gave an insight into the England team, what it takes to win the World Cup along with their thoughts on the differences between northern and southern hemisphere rugby,” he said.
The New Zealand Maori team and England provided signed playing jerseys for auction with $1850.
The Jarrod Cunningham Youth Sports Trust was set up in 2008 with the objective to increase participation of youth in sport. In the last year the Trust has donated over $60,000 back into the community including financially supporting New Zealand representative kayaker Scott Bicknell, Ross Shield Rugby and the Hawke’s Bay Sports Expo. Dincoofaccorons .
