MONEY raised in memory of Rugby League player Danny Jones will be put into a trust fund for the couple's children.

Lizzie Jones hopes to protect the future of five-month-old twins, Phoebe and Bobby, using Mr Jones's legacy.

She has also called for people to celebrate his life by wearing rugby tops and bright colours at his funeral on Friday.

The 29-year-old Keighley Cougars player collapsed at the side of the pitch during a League 1 match against London Skolars on Sunday, May 3, and died later that evening.

A post-mortem examination showed the Welsh international died from a heart attack, linked to an undiagnosed heart condition.

The day after the stand-off's death, a charity fund was set-up in his name by The Rugby Football League (RFL) Benevolent Fund, with an initial £1,000 target.

But as donations flooded in, at a rate of £1,000 an hour, the RFL upped its ambition to £100,000, which was passed on Monday night. It is now aiming to raise £160,000, but Cougars' chairman Gary Fawcett is pushing for the fund to reach £1 million.

Mrs Jones said: "We are totally overwhelmed by ordinary people's generosity in supporting us.

"These are the most difficult times and our family find great comfort from our wider Rugby League family.

"Danny loved playing Rugby League. Keighley Cougars have been fantastic and we are grateful for the Rugby League support which we have received from around the world. Thank you all very much."

The Cougars have started five months of fundraising which was boosted by Sunday's game against Coventry when bucket collections and a third of ticket sales were donated to the fund - the amount raised from that is yet to be announced.

The club, based at Cougar Park in Royd Ings Avenue, Keighley, is also honouring Mr Jones's contract, with the payments going directly into the fund.

A charity auction night is set to raise more money and on Sunday, October 25, the Cougars will face the Wales national side in the Danny Jones Memorial Game at Cougar Park.

Frank Bruno has also donated five personalised boxing gloves to be sold. The boxer will be at Victoria Hall, Keighley, on Saturday and will personalise the gloves for those who win them.

Meanwhile, details of Mr Jones's funeral have now been finalised.

The service will be at St Mary's Church, Gibbet Street, Halifax, on Friday, May 22, at noon, followed by a wake at Brighouse Rangers ARLFC, Russell Way, Brighouse.

Mrs Jones said: "We want people to come in their rugby jerseys and wear bright colours to remember his wonderful fun personality."

* Bids of more than £150 for each of the Frank Bruno gloves will be accepted until noon on Friday, by e-mail to info@keighleycougars.com.

The proceeds of Saturday's An Evening with Frank Bruno will also be donated to the fund, said Mr Fawcett.