Doncaster Rugby League Club would like to celebrate the success of the fund raising activity that took place at the Keepmoat Stadium on Sunday the 13th march in support of those affected by the Pike River Mine disaster.

With Doncaster still holding its place as the heart of the South Yorkshire Coalfields, still having coal mines in production, and the historic link between local mining communities and “The Dons” this was seen as an ideal fund raising effort to kick of the Co-operative Championship 1 2011 season.

Efforts on the day raised an impressive £2150 that will go towards helping the community that suffered so much from the disaster that began on the 19th November 2010 on New Zealand’s South Island. 29 out of the 31 miners at work on that day never saw the surface again, the only two survivors made the entrance on the first day shortly after the first explosion.

Match day Sponsors UK Coal helped reinforce the community feel of the day that also saw a performance of a traditional Maori “Haka” by local schoolchildren pre match, adding to the examples of links between communities.

Mining disasters have featured in the local history of Doncaster, with Colliery’s such as Bentley, Hatfield Main and Cadeby since the turn of last century making the town sympathetic to the families who have lost members to the explosions at the Pike River mine.

CEO of the Dons, Carl Hall commented:

“ I would like to thank all the sponsors for the day UK Coal, Mines Rescue, TES Bretby, MSA GB and the NUM. We were overwhelmed by their support.“

To make the donation even more personal Dons legend Sonny Whakarau will be travelling to Greymouth to hand over the much needed funds accompanied by none other than Frank Endacott ( ex Wigan and New Zealand coach).

Hall added:

“I felt this was the best way to make it more personal, the two lads are on with sorting it out now. When I asked them they both jumped at the chance and said they are very proud and honored to do this for the Don’s”.

The Dons next return to Keepmoat against Workington on Sunday the 27th March, 3pm kick off.

As always tickets purchased before a match day are subject to an “early bird” discount, details can be found on www.doncasterrugbyleague.co.uk