Brave Lizzie launches rugby defibrillator fund in memory of her late husband

The wife of former Keighley Cougars and Wales international Danny Jones is hoping to raise £50,000 to help ensure every amateur rugby league club has access to a defibrillator on matchdays.

The Danny Jones Defibrillator Fund, run in conjunction with the RFL Benevolent Fund and the sport’s charitable arm, Rugby League Cares, is seeking donations from fans and businesses to reach its target.

Danny Jones collapsed and died from an undiagnosed heart condition playing for Keighley against London Skolars last May. He was just 29 and left behind his wife and infant twins, Bobby and Phoebe.

Following the tragedy Mrs Jones successfully campaigned for heart screening to be made compulsory at every semi-professional club. Although screening was already compulsory in Super League, most part-time clubs did not test their players because of the prohibitive cost.

The tragedy also saw rugby league fans rally to raise £300,000 for a trust established by the RFL Benevolent Fund for the couple’s two toddlers, and led to Mrs Jones singing tributes to her husband at the Challenge Cup final at Wembley and on the BBC TV Sports Personality of the Year awards.

Lizzie Jones said: “This is my way of saying a big ‘Thank You’ to the wider Rugby League family for all they have done for me and my children since we lost Danny.

“The professional and semi-professional players are now getting screened, which is fantastic, and it’s important that we do all we can to protect the welfare of the men, women and children who gain so much pleasure from playing the game at community level.

“£1,000 doesn’t seem like a lot of money but as anyone who’s been involved with grassroots sport will know, every penny matters and I am proud to be associated with another project which means Danny’s death will not have been in vain.”

Defibrillators cost around £1,000 each and provide potentially life-saving treatment to anyone suffering a heart attack. To kick off the fund, Mrs Jones made a personal donation of £1,000 which she hopes companies, professional clubs and individual clubs will add to in the weeks and months ahead.

Steve Ball, General Manager of the RFL Benevolent Fund, said: “We are delighted that Lizzie has asked to play such an active role in the Danny Jones Defibrillator Fund and I am sure we will see another magnificent response from Rugby League fans.

“Incidents of cardiac illness are thankfully very rare in sport but the presence of a defibrillator at every match will provide peace of mind for both players and their families.

“Donations can be made to the fund via a Just Giving page and we would urge everyone to give what they can to this very worthy cause.”

The campaign has set a fund-raising target of £50,000: to make a donation click here