LIZZIE Jones, the widow of Keighley Cougars star Danny, has helped helped raise more than £2,400 for the Rugby League Cares charity.

She was part of a team taking part in the Great North Run on Sunday.

“What a fantastic experience it was,” said Mrs Jones, who completed the course in just under three hours 15 minutes.

“I was so proud to cross that finish line.”

The kit worn by the team included the initials DJ in tribute to Danny, who died after collapsing during a match in May last year. The Welsh international half-back was later found to have a hereditary heart condition.

Heading the Great North team was Matt King, who was left paralysed after suffering a catastrophic injury seconds into a London Broncos academy match in 2004. He was just 17 at the time.

In a bizarre twist of fate, a young Danny – then an academy player with Halifax Blue Sox – was on the opposing side.

Mrs Jones said she was delighted to be invited to take part in the run.

“Though I had never run any real distance before I relished the challenge of getting fit to be part of Matt’s team,” she said.

“I had met Matt once before and knew something about what he had been through.

“It was a privilege to take on the challenge and it was a very special and emotional day in the north-east.”

During the run, she was interviewed by BBC sports presenter and former Olympic gold medal athlete Denise Lewis.

Following Danny’s death, Mrs Jones launched a campaign to get lifesaving defibrillators into rugby league clubs throughout the country.

Part of the proceeds from Sunday’s event will go to the cause.

The defibrillator project, launched in conjunction with the RFL Benevolent Fund, has already raised enough money for more than 30 clubs to receive the devices.

Mrs Jones has personally presented machines to several West Yorkshire rugby clubs, plus the cricket club and community centre in her home village of Northowram.

And with about two fifths of the £50,000 target achieved, it is hoped to equip many junior and community clubs by the end of the year.

In recognition of the initiative, Mrs Jones – a mother of young twins – has been named a Woman of the Year and will attend a glittering awards dinner in London next month.

To support the defibrillator fund, visit rflbenevolentfund.co.uk or justgiving.com/danny-jones-defibrillator-fund.

People can back the Great North team at justgiving.com/tenyeartreble.