Hardship fund for Bradford Bulls staff reaches £15,000 (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Hardship fund for Bradford Bulls staff reaches £15,000

9:00am Wednesday 8th August 2012 in Sport By Hannah Postles , T&A Reporter

A hardship fund set up to offer financial help to coaching and backroom staff made redundant when struggling Bradford Bulls entered administration has so far collected more than £15,000.

Supporters’ trust BullBuilder announced yesterday it had hit the milestone after a bucket collection of £3,600 at last Sunday’s Super League home win against Widnes.

The fund’s total includes cash from rival sides Warrington Wolves and Leeds Rhinos, which offered to donate their share of the Bulls’ advanced ticket sales from away matches earlier this season.

So far, £9,000 from the fund has been paid out to members of staff struggling to survive with no pay after volunteering to work for free. BullBuilder chairman Chris Hardstaff said: “The support we have received has been overwhelming.

“Once again the rugby league community has made us proud to support the greatest game.

“Not only would I like to thank the Bradford public who have dug deep once again, but also special thanks must go to the Warrington club for their generous donation and the Widnes fans who also contributed on Sunday.

“It goes to show the strength of feeling towards the Bulls and the fund will go to assist those who are working hard to keep the club alive.”

The fund, administered by the club’s pastor Warren Evans, was set up in July after administrator Brendan Guilfoyle laid off 15 full-time staff, including the entire coaching team, in a cost-cutting exercise.

BullBuilder spokesman Mike Farren said that they were concerned to do their best to make sure that staff commitment to the Bulls’ cause would not lead to financial hardship on their part.

Fundraising for the fund will continue this week with a raffle of Bradford Bulls prizes, including a nappy cake with baby shampoo, muslin and nappies as well as a Bulls towel and Bullboy soft toy.

Tickets are available from the Bulls ticket office and the draw will take place in the Coral Stand at Odsal after the Hull KR match on Friday.

Huddersfield Giants yesterday announced it will give cash from away ticket sales from its match against Bradford on Sunday week in a similar scheme used by Warrington to help the hardship fund.

Mr Evans said: “I’m proud to accept the offer proposed by the Huddersfield Giants and am pleasantly encouraged by the support offered to the Bulls by the wider rugby league community.”