The Burleigh Bears are hoping the Gold Coast community will come out in force this weekend to support not only their rising stars, but also help the people of Tonga rebuild.
This Saturday, January 29, the Bears will host a Tonga Recovery Appeal at their home ground of Pizzey Park with a big day of rugby league planned for fans who are craving some rugby league action.
Members of the Hostplus Cup team will join club volunteers to man the barbecue throughout the day, with all proceeds going to help Tonga rebuild after being struck by an underwater earthquake earlier this month which caused widespread damage and forced all communications from the island to be shutdown for days.
Star Bears hooker Pat Politoni has represented Tonga on four occasions and took to social media to urge supporters to get to ground.
“This Saturday we are raising funds to send back to my motherland Tonga. She was hit by a tsunami following an underwater volcano erupting,” Politoni wrote.
“If you are on the Gold Coast, get down to Pizzey Park and buy a steak sandwich, sausage sizzle or drink and all the proceeds will go to Tonga.”
It will be a big day with five games being played, with the first match kicking off at 1pm. Games will feature under 16, under 17, under 18 and under 19 sides in action as well as the home club’s Hastings Deering Colts and Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup squads.
“There are games on from 1pm, so get down and watch the local talent and have a feed that will help go a long way to getting much needed aid / supplies to Tonga,” Politoni wrote.
The barbecue will run from 1pm until 6.30pm (stock permitting) and the Bears will also be collecting donations throughout the day to send to Tonga.
