Creighton rugby union members have shown the caring side of their community club with help for a family of recent arrivals.
The Carlisle side have three brothers whose parents are originally from Fiji, playing for their youth teams. Occasionally their father, Jeremy, would video the boys playing and his mother back home in Fiji would watch it live.
Unfortunately, the grandmother died on Sunday morning, and the three lads insisted on playing for the club as normal and did so with great dignity in a game against Kendal.
Although the family had not asked for any financial assistance, families and coaches from the youth section, the Creighton first team players, board members and volunteers took it upon themselves to help.
Within 12 hours they had raised enough money – and a bit extra – for return flights and Jeremy flew out earlier this week to attend.
Lenny Morell, Jeremy’s wife, has said: “They say rugby is a community, but Creighton RUFC really proved to be more this week.
“Even though we’re the ‘new’ family on the sidelines as we haven’t been here long, the support you’ve given our family to get Jeremy home to Fiji for his mother’s funeral is something we will never forget.
“We are incredibly touched by your kindness and so grateful our boys are growing up in such a supportive environment.
“It’s moments like these where you see the true meaning of the ‘rugby family.”
Creighton said: “There are quite simply far too many people to individually thank… current players, ex-players, club members, mums and dads to name but a few. But what we will say is this is exactly what makes us special.
“It’s more than rugby. It’s people looking after people, standing together when it really matters, and showing what a true community family looks like.”
