BRADFORD born rugby league star John Bateman has donated more than £2,000 to the family of Matthew Keenan following an auction of his match-worn shirt.

Bateman, 27, wore a special shirt embroidered with Matthew Keenan’s name when his Wigan Warriors faced Salford Red Devils earlier this month.

The Bierley father of three young children died from Covid-19 aged 34 in July, triggering an outpouring of emotion from the community, which was quick to support his family.

The popular Mr Keenan received scores of tributes from friends and family, including Bateman, Bradford Bulls’ George Flanagan and Bradford musicians Bad Boy Chiller Crew.

Bateman held the auction of his Wigan shirt, embroidered with the message “Matthew Luke Keenan YNWA”, on eBay to raise money for his three children Ashlee, Bobby and Terri-Lee.

The auction closed last night, with the winning bid ending up at £2,200.

Mr Keenan’s story was brought to prominence by Bradford Royal Infirmary’s Dr Leanne Cheyne, who shared a photo on Twitter of Mr Keenan on a ventilator after being admitted to hospital with Covid-19, after being sceptical of the virus and being unvaccinated.

He had previously healthy with no underlying conditions, and had said on Facebook it was the “most poorly he had ever felt”; tragically he was unable to recover from his illness and passed away on July 25.

It follows a GoFundMe campaign which was also set up to support Mr Keenan’s children after his death, which to date has raised more than £2,800.