Political Animals Support Pakistan Recovery Fund
The Political Animals Rugby League Football Club took on the British Asian Rugby Association (BARA) to raise money for the Pakistan Recovery Fund.
As well as a donation from the Political Animals, players from BARA and community leaders worked to raise over £5,500 in support to help alleviate the damage and suffering caused by the floods in Pakistan in 2010.
Keighley MP and Political Animals player Kris Hopkins said: “Sport is a great way to raise funds for worthy causes and I’m proud that Keighley could host this match. That fact that we were able to raise such a large amount of money almost a year after the tragedy is testament to the local community spirit and incredibly hard work a number of very dedicated people.”
The game, played under masters rules, was a close fought-contest with BARA the ultimate victors, winning 16-12. Wingman club captain Greg Mulholland MP was awarded the Animals’ man-of-the-match for his brace of tries. After the game, he spoke of the importance of activities like the game. “Rugby league has its roots as a community sport, and today’s match goes to show that this ethos remains true” said Mulholland. “That the Animals and BARA can work together in an innovative and fun way to raise money and at the same time grow local community links is an outstanding example of the power of sport, and particularly rugby league.”
“We saw this game as a special opportunity of engaging with the British Pakistani community and breaking down barriers, something rugby league has always done.It was also a privilege playing against former England International Ikram Butt and hope that game and relationship will help lead to more British Asians playing in Super League and for England, Scotland and Wales”.
The game itself also sought to bring together community leaders through a common cause. BARA manager Ikram Butt said “Like the Animals, BARA exists to bring people together through sport. The money raised by this game shows how important people take community engagement and how all of us in the UK, when touched by something so important, are resolute in making things better for people wherever they might be in the world.”
More information about the flood relief fund can be found at: www.pakistanrecovery.org.