LIZZIE Jones – widow of tragic Keighley Cougars star Danny – has started a fundraising campaign to buy defibrillators for rugby clubs across the UK.

She aims to raise £50,000 and have the lifesaving machines installed at half of all junior and community clubs within a year.

Danny Jones died last May after collapsing during a Cougars match against London Skolars.

It was later discovered the 29-year-old Welsh international had an undetected hereditary heart condition.

His shock death sparked a wave of support throughout the rugby league and wider sporting community.

Several hundred thousand pounds were raised in his memory.

The defibrillator appeal is being run in association with the RFL Benevolent Fund.

Mrs Jones, a professional singer, has already successfully campaigned for cardiac screening to become mandatory in the top three leagues.

"Very few clubs have defibrillators at the moment which is quite worrying as these machines are a matter of life or death," she said.

"They are so, so important and I would like to think that parents will be asking 'does your club have a defibrillator?' before their children go to play there.

"I am proud to be associated with another project which means Danny's death will not have been in vain."

The appeal was launched on Sunday, Valentine's Day.

Heart-shaped badges have been produced and are available through the Cougars website, keighleycougars.com, where people are also invited to show their support by posting photos of themselves with their hands forming a heart.

"The aim is to supply defibrillators to all rugby league clubs – from grassroots to Super League – so Lizzie needs to raise £50,000 to help save the lives of our players," said a club spokesman.

Steve Ball, of the RFL Benevolent Fund, said: "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."

Mrs Jones kickstarted the appeal with a £1,000 donation.

Just three months after Danny's death, she gave an emotion-charged rendition of Abide With Me before the Challenge Cup final, which she attended with the couple's young twins Bobby and Phoebe.

She also performed at the White Rose Awards in Leeds in November and at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards night in December.

Last month, Transdev Keighley named a bus in memory of Danny.