St George support Japanese Earthquake relief Efforts

Tue, May 17, 2016, 1:15 AM
Rugby Australia
by Rugby Australia
James Slipper will lead the Reds out on Saturday night. Photo: Getty images
James Slipper will lead the Reds out on Saturday night. Photo: Getty images

St.George Queensland Reds’ naming-rights partner St.George Bank has engaged its charitable arm to provide much-needed funds for earthquake relief in Japan.

As the Reds prepare to take on Japan’s Sunwolves in their first-ever clash on Australian soil this weekend, the St.George Foundation has announced it will donate $5,000 to the Salvation Army, to support its ongoing relief efforts in the Kumamoto region of Japan, which suffered a series of earthquakes in April this year.

The St.George Foundation focuses on helping smaller community organisations which work to provide a brighter future for socially, economically or physically disadvantaged children. The charities they fund attract little assistance from the government and are not able to generate significant fundraising income of their own.

Ross Gillam, General Manager of St.George Bank in Queensland, said: “This weekend’s match is an historic occasion and the St.George Foundation are delighted to work with the Salvos to assist relief efforts in Japan by raising awareness and much-needed funds for the people of Kumamoto.”

Reds captain James Slipper said: “It’s fantastic that once again St.George has shown its commitment to the Rugby family by contributing to relief efforts in Japan.

“We’re fortunate to have two members of the Japanese Test team in our squad and this is a cause that is close to their hearts, as those in Japan continue to recover from the natural disasters which impacted them over the past few years. We wish the people of Japan all the best in their continued recovery.”

During the match, Reds players Ben Matwijow and Cadeyrn Neville will also be wearing specially designed headgear in support of the St.George Foundation, as part of the Be Great, Do Good initiative founded by Reds prop Ben Daley.

Queensland Rugby Union has also invited members of the Gold Coast-based Japan and Friends Society to collect donations at Suncorp Stadium this weekend, to further aid relief efforts.

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