Pictured: The Ackerman family with Ryan Hansen, Allan Turner and Tyson Brough at the Zaidee's Rainbow Foundation media launch in February.
More than $4000 has been donated to the Ackerman Family Trust Fund, the Queensland Rugby League and Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation announced today.
Allan Turner, Zaidee’s proud father and Foundation CEO, confirmed the joint campaign generated $8600 in shoelace sales with half of that amount donated to the Ackerman family.
“This is a tremendous outcome and reflects the huge amount of community support and some major media awareness and education around this subject that has never before been done in Queensland on this scale ever,” Turner said.
In the opening round of the Intrust Super Cup, players and referees donned the rainbow colours to raise awareness about organ and tissue donation.
“I am sure James’s family in Saraa, Ollie and Milly will greatly benefit from this support,” Turner said.
“I wish to thank all QRL clubs for getting behind the initiative in the memory of both James and Zaidee, and to everyone who played a part in driving further awareness about organ and tissue donor education.”
QRL Head of Football Neil Wharton echoed those sentiments.
“We can’t thank Allan enough for the energy and expertise he brought to this wonderful partnership between the QRL and Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation,” Wharton said.
“This initiative really did add something special to the opening round of the premiership season.
“The Ackermans are an amazing family – and we’re just happy that we’ve been able to play our part alongside the rest of the rugby league community in offering some financial and emotional support.”
