The Leeds Rhinos Foundation are pleased to announce that the recent 10 year anniversary celebration dinner has raised approximately £50,000 to enable to charity to continue its work in delivering life changing projects in the Leeds community.
Starting out in 1995, the official charity of the Leeds Rhinos celebrated its 10 year anniversary on the 21st October with a special fundraising event attended by over 400 guests and supporters of the foundation, providing a civic welcome to the travelling New Zealand Rugby League team and showcasing the short film produced by Brass Agency.
The evening hosted by Leeds Rhinos star Jamie Jones-Buchanan and Director of Operations for the Leeds Rhinos Foundation Bob Bowman, provided a number of fundraising opportunities including a holiday raffle courtesy of Jet2Holidays sending lucky winner Rachel Birkenshaw for an incredible 7-night holiday at 4+* Valamar Lacroma Hotel in Dubrovnik, Croatia.
As part of the draw for the holiday, tables who also bought 15 raffle tickets were entered into a separate draw to win a voucher for over £400 from Berry’s jewellers. Tom Riordan who won the prize will be kindly donating the voucher to a foster home or family in need.
Another success from the night was the online raffle provided by the GiveSmart auction site. Guests were able to bid on over 35 bespoke items to raise funds for the charity followed by an exciting opportunity to bid on a live auction item on the night, to witness the Haka performed live and up close at the Leeds Rhinos vs New Zealand game.
The popular auction item of a portrait of Kevin Sinfield painted and donated by artist Barry Hudson sold for £4500 and was made even more significant by the former Rhinos captain receiving another accolade on the night from Cllr Judith Blake with the Leeds Award.
Director of Operations for the Leeds Rhinos Foundation Bob Bowman commented on the success of the night which raised close to £50,000 for the Foundation.
“We are thrilled that so many of our friends and partners were there to mark this occasion with us that celebrates 10 years of achievement for the Leeds Rhinos Foundation in the best possible way with so many funds raised to help us deliver our work.
“We’d like to thank Sacco Mann, Child Friendly Leeds, Gibbs and Dandy, Leeds City Council, Grosvenor Casinos, Barclays Bank and Handelsbanken along with all of our guests on the night who helped make it such a special anniversary.”
Also present on the night was lifetime president of the Leeds Rhinos Foundation David Oxley CBE who spoke about the growth of the charity over the past decade:
“I had the privilege of being the founding chairman 10 years ago and I knew it was going to be a good charity thanks to the Leeds Rhinos organisation and support of some excellent trustees but I couldn’t imagine 10 years on, we would be where we are right now.”
“I think it’s a really good player in the community of Leeds, hence this wonderful civic reception, and I know the local authority and the governess here really value the input the Foundation has towards to life of the community and especially but not exclusively young people.”
The evening provided an opportunity for the Foundation to showcase the charity’s new short film provided by Brass Agency, demonstrating some of the key areas worked in over the past decade which can be viewed below:
The full video of Life President David Oxley's interview is available to view below: