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How each NRL club is helping bushfire victims

True to rugby league's core values of mateship and community, the NRL fraternity has banded together to support bushfire victims in recent weeks.

The devastation around Australia has brought about a strong response from the NRL, with round one of the 2020 season to be a dedicated Bushfire Appeal Round.

Clubs and players have also taken the initiative to run their own fundraisers and relief efforts.

Here's what the 16 teams plus the NSWRL and QRL have been doing to help those in need.

Brisbane Broncos

The Broncos have launched an auction site featuring rare personal memorabilia like Darius Boyd's commemorative 300th game jersey, boots signed by Jake Turpin and a bunch of autographed jerseys.

All profits from the auction will go to the Salvation Army.

The Queensland club also turned their headquarters into a Foodbank collection point earlier in January to get much-needed items to bushfire victims.

Players assisted with sorting out the donations when they were dropped off to a Foodbank warehouse.

Canberra Raiders

Forced to the Sunshine Coast for a 10-day training camp due to the hazardous bushfire smoke in Canberra, the Raiders made their trip count by hosting an open training session where donations were collected for bushfire relief.

The club have committed to the #WeAreOne initiative along with the rest of Canberra's major sporting teams. Free entry to the Raiders' round one clash against the Titans at GIO Stadium will be provided to RFS and SES volunteers, with donations to be collected at the match.

Curtis Scott launched a GoFundMe page for bushfire victims that has raised more than $25,000 – kickstarted by his own $5000 donation – while Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad auctioned off his grand final boots, grand final training shirt and a signed jersey to raise over $13,000.

 
 
 
 
 
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A huge thank you to everyone who came to @sunshinecoaststadium and donated to help those effected by the bushfires #WeAreRaiders

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Canterbury Bulldogs

The Bulldogs joined forces with Canterbury League Club to commit $50,000 to recovery efforts for areas affected by bushfires and long-term drought.

The club will look to raise more funds when they head to Port Macquarie for a trial against Canberra on February 29.

Players Jack Cogger, Dean Britt, Joe Stimson and Nick Meaney carried buckets to collect donations at Canterbury Races on January 17.

Cronulla Sharks

Sharks players past and present have donated items to be auctioned off, with all proceeds going to rural southern NSW communities, sporting clubs and facilities affected by the fires.

Among the donated memorabilia was Andrew Fifita's 100th Cronulla game ring, Mat Rogers's debut jersey and Gavin Miller's 1989 Dally M Second Rower of the Year trophy.

Gold Coast Titans

The Titans visited the NSW RFS headquarters at Casino and, thanks to the help of community partner Livin, donated a wealth of clothing for volunteers.

Manly Sea Eagles

Manly skipper Daly Cherry-Evans auctioned off his Queensland State of Origin jersey and the club has thrown its support behind the NRL's coordinated bushfire response.

Melbourne Storm

Storm players, coaches and staff combined to launch a GoFundMe page for the Victorian Bushfire Disaster Appeal, getting things rolling with an immediate $25,000 donation.

Melbourne have donated $5 from every membership sold in January, while a club-led Bushfire Appeal Round will take place at the Storm's first home game against Penrith in round three.

Players will also travel to bushfire-affected areas to lend a hand.

Newcastle Knights

The Knights raised more than $18,000 for the Salvation Army by auctioning special items.

A game-day experience with head coach Adam O'Brien went for $5000, while Mitchell Pearce, Kalyn Ponga and David Klemmer all raised thousands more with their gear donations.

New Zealand Warriors

The Warriors have "adopted" the drought-stricken and bushfire-affected NSW town of Tenterfield, committing to a range of activities and initiatives in the area in the hopes of raising spirits.

North Queensland Cowboys

The Cowboys have thrown their support behind the NRL's coordinated bushfire response.

The club also donated a signed 2019 jersey to the "NRL Creatives" fundraiser for the Red Cross.

Parramatta Eels

Parramatta launched an online donation drive and an auction of Eels memorabilia and experiences, including golf with the legendary Peter Sterling. All up, more than $65,000 has been raised.

Additional fundraising and support initiatives have been planned.

The Eels will take part in a three-day "Festival of Footy" when they face off against Penrith in a trial match in Bega on February 29.

Both clubs will engage in player-led community activities and public events in nearby towns in the lead-up to the game.

Penrith Panthers

Penrith launched an online auction featuring many unique experiences, including a kicking session with Nathan Cleary and ten-pin bowling with Josh Mansour.

Funds went to the NSW Rural Fire Service.

The club held a Firefighter Fundraiser at Panthers Stadium earlier in January, with donations collected as the team was put through their paces in an open training session.

As mentioned above, Penrith will support Bega and surrounding areas when they take on Parramatta in a trial there on February 29.

 
 
 
 
 
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PLACE YOUR BIDS⌛ Score yourself an unforgettable experience and raise vital funds for the @nswrfs! All auctions end on Sunday night. Link in bio.

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South Sydney Rabbitohs

Prop Ky Rodwell gathered teammates Cody Walker, Kurt Dillon and Bailey Sironen to help out in his hometown of Bombala.

They gave away more than 70 Rabbitohs jerseys to local kids and put smiles on faces.

Cameron Murray and Tom Burgess donated jerseys to the RLPA's online auction.

The whole Rabbitohs squad also visited Batemans Bay, signing autographs and taking photos with locals.

 
 
 
 
 
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Spreading some joy to a town in need. 🙌🏼🐇❤️💚 #GoRabbitohs #OldestProudestLoudest

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St George Illawarra Dragons

The Dragons will embark on a two-day relief tour of the south coast on January 28 and 29, visiting places like Batemans Bay, Narooma, Ulladulla, Bermagui and Lake Conjola and injecting cash into them.

The club's community team will also visit towns including Bega, Eden and Tathra later in the year.

St George Illawarra have joined forces with the Illawarra Hawks and Wollongong Wolves for a combined codes bushfire appeal golf day to be held on February 3 at Wollongong Golf Course.

 
 
 
 
 
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We have confirmed details concerning our South Coast bushfire relief tour! Head to our website for the details 🙌 #redv

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Sydney Roosters

The premiers will wear a specially designed World Club Challenge jersey in their match against St Helens on February 22 to raise funds for the NSW Rural Fire Service.

The match-worn jerseys will be auctioned off after the game. Limited edition supporter jerseys are also available to purchase.

Wests Tigers

Wests Tigers launched an online auction to raise funds for the Red Cross's recovery efforts.

Items for sale included signed jerseys, boots and game-day experiences.

Jillaroos

A number of women's players have gone above and beyond to help.

Broncos NRLW and Jillaroos star Millie Boyle set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds for the recovery effort in her hometown of Cobargo on NSW's South Coast.

More than $8800 has been raised.

Retired Jillaroos player Allana Ferguson collected over four semi-trailers worth of food, clothing and household goods for Lake Conjola residents and volunteer firefighters,

She also used donations to buy generators for the area.

New South Wales Rugby League

The NSWRL will move its Andrew Johns and Laurie Daley Cup games to Bega from Wollongong to support the region as part of a three-day "Footy Festival" ending with an NRL trial between the Eels and Panthers on February 29.

NSW Blues players have been active in bushfire-affected communities.

The organisation is part of the NRL's whole-of-game response to the crisis.

Queensland Rugby League

The QRL launched an online Maroons auction featuring items signed items and 2020 State of Origin experiences, with all proceeds going to the Red Cross.

Acknowledgement of Country

Queensland Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.

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