Club's got friends
A COMMUNITY is rallying round a stricken rugby club after facilities were destroyed by fire.
Normanton Knights have seen a huge show of public support since a clubhouse fire destroyed trophies, gutted the kitchen and badly damaged the seating, floor and ceiling.
Players’ away shirts destroyed in the blaze have been replaced by Normanton Rotary Club after members learned of the fire at the Queen Elizabeth Drive building on February 3.
Bucket collections have been held at Wakefield Wildcats and Bradford Bulls matches. Castleford Tigers have allowed the club to hold a tombola stall at this Sunday’s match against Wigan.
And a race night at the Black Swan pub a month ago raised 800.
Rotarians used funds raised at their auction of sporting memorabilia at Normanton Gala to buy the new shirts.
Paul Sampson, vice president of Normanton Rotary Club, said: “We thought this was a worthwhile cause. We wanted to do something to help the club get back on their feet.”
Chairman Joan Langley said the club was waiting for an insurance claim to be agreed before repairs could be carried out.
She said: “It’s a waiting game at the moment. The money we have raised is keeping us going. We are very grateful to everybody who has helped out.”
She thanked St John’s Terrace Working Men’s Club, which is providing after match facilities while the clubhouse is out of use.
The fire followed a huge blaze at Normanton Baptist Church on October 10. The church roof and an organ worth 250,000 were destroyed in the blaze.
Police were treating both incidents as suspected arson. Anybody with information is asked to contact the Normanton and Featherstone neighbourhood police team on 01924 295453.
Anybody who can help with the fundraising can contact Mrs Langley on 07949 222857.
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Weather for Wakefield
Sunday 20 May 2012
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Temperature: 7 C to 13 C
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