A HUSBAND and wife from Queensbury, who have raised almost £10,000 in memory of their late son, are pleased to see their local rugby club recognise their charitable efforts.
In 2021, Greg and Amy Worthington have been generating funds for the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF) after they sadly lost baby Isaac at birth to severe congenital heart defects.
Greg combines playing for the Halifax Panthers with being head coach of the first team at Queensbury ARLFC.
He was taken aback when discovering the club had put the charity’s logo on next season’s strip and on a billboard around the pitch.
Speaking on what would have been Isaac’s third birthday, the former Toronto Wolfpack and Featherstone Rovers centre said: “It’s a really personal touch.
“As a child, I started at this club and they provided me with the foundations to go on and achieve my dreams of playing professional rugby.
“For the club to put the charity on the shirt and have the board up it’s always going to be a constant reminder.
“It’s nicely fitting that something so close to me locally and where I’ve got a lot of memories is carrying on the memory of Isaac.
“It will just keep the awareness going for the charity and hopefully it will keep the donations rolling in and stand the test of time.
“It is good to see so many people get behind a good cause. Anything that can help children going through any pain in their life and make it a little bit easier is surely worth that little bit of spare change that you’ve got.”
At time of writing, the pair have raised £9,263, Amy added: “It’s unbelievable to be honest that we were able to raise so much, especially mid-pandemic.
"The support, kindness and generosity of all our friends and family has been totally overwhelming. When I drove past the billboard, I was really emotional.
"To us Isaac was - and is - so real, and for people to be saying his name and remembering him is brilliant. He’s been the inspiration, our little angel.”
Queensbury Juniors' donation of £300 went on the advertisement board at the Albert Road ground.
Club Treasurer Stuart Rubery said: “Normally we try to choose a charity that means something to the club each year.
“Not many of us were aware in 2018 of Greg and Amy’s plight - so to be involved now is great and we’ll continue to support them where we can.
“It’s not all about taking as a club, obviously we get sponsorship, but sometimes we don’t need that much so we can help by giving stuff back."
Andy McNally, Marketing Manager at CHSF, which supports the LGI’s congenital heart unit, said: “The donation amount Greg and Amy have raised for through their network of support is phenomenal, and we are incredibly grateful.
“It is also fantastic to see both the Worthington family and Queensbury ARLFC help raise awareness of our vital cause within their community.
“1 in 100 babies are born with a heart defect and we would encourage anyone touched by Isaac’s story to make a donation, and help support hearts for life.”
You can still donate to the charity by visiting: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/isaac-robert
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