Parliament Rugby Team plays for Grace this weekend

Parliamentary Rugby Media Release

5 September 2013

Parliament Rugby Team plays for Grace this weekend

The Parliament Rugby Team will travel from the Beehive to put their bodies on the line for a very special cause this weekend - to raise money for the rehabilitation of 11-year-old Grace Yeats.

Carterton Mayor Ron Mark invited the Parliament Rugby Team to play a game in Carterton to help raise money for the care of Grace Yeats who suffers from an extremely rare brain disease which has rendered her unable to move, speak or swallow says co-captains Damien O’Connor and Cam Calder.

“When Ron told us of Grace’s plight, we knew we had to get the team over to Carterton to help out in this special cause,” says O’Connor.

After several months at Starship Hospital, Grace has been transferred to Masterton Hospital and money raised from the game will help relocate Grace back to her family home where she will require 24-hour care.

“The response from the team has been overwhelming. We have had players donate not just their time but also money they have raised individually and items for the auction,” says Calder.

Following a Parliamentary Netball fixture at 12pm, the Parliament Rugby Team takes on the Play for Grace XV at the Carterton Rugby Club at 2.30pm. An aftermatch function will begin at 5pm which includes a charity auction and entertainment.

The local side is stacked with local stars including, Marty Berry, Joe Harwood, Dillon Higgison, Dave Drummond, Carterton Mayor Ron Mark and ex-MP Edwin Perry. The Parliament side will feature MPs Damien O’Connor, Cam Calder, Iain Lees-Galloway and is coached by former All Black manager Richie Guy.

“We look forward to playing for Grace on Saturday and don’t mind enduring a little bit of pain on the field to raise some dollars for her care and rehabilitation,” says O’Connor.

For more information, visit www.playforgrace.com or visit www.facebook.com/NewZealandParliamentaryRugbyTeam

Game details:

WHAT: Parliament Netball Team versus Wairarapa Invitational selection

WHEN: 12pm, Saturday September 7

WHERE: Colombo Road Netball Courts, Masterton

WHAT: Parliament Rugby Team versus The Play for Grace XV

WHEN: 2.30pm, Saturday September 7

WHERE: Carterton Rugby Football Club, Belvedere Road, Carterton

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