The Mark Hughes Foundation (MHF) is gearing up for a colourful month in its fight against brain cancer.
Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) will launch its biggest charity initiative in the organisation’s history, partnering with the Newcastle-based group for the Red And Blue All November Through campaign.
Over the next 30 days, it’s set to donate $161 every time the red (number 1) or blue rug (number 4) wins a race at every meeting throughout NSW.
By the end of the month, GRNSW hopes to amass more than $100,000.
The selection of the blue and red rugs coincides with the colours of the Newcastle Knights, Hughes’ former club.
To add to the intrigue, the premiership-winning centre played 161 NRL games.
When the partnership with the Mark Hughes Foundation was announced in April, GRNSW immediately donated $20,000 to the great cause.
Another $10,000 was added to the tally when the Dapto winning post was auctioned at the final meeting at the iconic venue in September.
GRNSW will also host a charity fundraiser for the MHF at Ladbrokes Gardens in Newcastle on 29 November, with the event to feature several highly-sought after auction items.
That includes a Kangaroos’ jersey signed by the current Australian rugby league team.
“The Mark Hughes Foundation is a great charity,” GRNSW chief executive officer Steve Griffin said.
“I know a lot of people are surprised when they hear the statistic that brain cancer is the leading cause of death in children and adults under 40 years of age.
“We are honoured to offer just a small bit of help to the MHF and its fight against this dreadful disease.
“I honestly hope November is filled with winners wearing red or blue rugs.”
It’s fitting one of the first NSW meetings, on Saturday 1 November, will be at Ladbrokes Gardens in Newcastle, just a few kilometres down the road from what is now called McDonald Jones Stadium.
That’s the home of the Knights and where Hughes played many of his 161 NRL matches between 1997 and 2005.
“We’re very grateful to the Greyhound Racing NSW for their substantial fundraising efforts to enable us to continue our research activities at the Mark Hughes Foundation,” he said.
“I am especially looking forward to November where I hope everyone is cheering on the red and blue rugs, which will help us in our race to beat brain cancer.”
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