WARRINGTON Wolves, their hooker Danny Walker and Wire fans are among those doing their bit in a bid to save neighbours Widnes Vikings from going into liquidation.
Vikings have gone into administration and a buyer is being sought to prevent the loss of one of rugby league’s most widely recognised clubs.
In the meantime the community is coming together to show what Vikings mean to the town.
A fundraising campaign coordinated Vikings Quids In (VIQI), an independent organisation that has supported Widnes Vikings for almost 20 years, had a remarkable and inspiring weekend as the £50,000 mark was reached.
A 2016 signed Wolves shirt is currently up for auction.
❗️TWITTER AND FACEBOOK AUCTION:
— Widnes Vikings (@WidnesRL) February 26, 2019
Signed @wolvesrl 2016 home jersey
Ends 10pm tonight ⏳
Reply to this post with your bid ⬇️#SaveOurClub @WWCLSFoundation @warringtonnews pic.twitter.com/M4SxanJ9rv
Wire fans as well as supporters of the sport across the country have been chipping in.
Wire fans helping with the bucket collections pic.twitter.com/CnxWsKLrXD
— Mally (@mallynoon) February 25, 2019
Donations so far range from children's pocket money to a mammoth £10,000 from one lifelong supporter.
Walker joined his hometown club Warrington from Widnes at the end of 2018 and he has joined in the effort to save the club that helped him develop and handed him a first taste of professional rugby league.
Danny Walker, playing for Widnes Vikings
In a video message to the club, he said: “My message is how gutted I am to see what’s going on at the club at the minute.
“It’s certainly not what the people at the club deserve.
“The club’s full of fantastic people and people who would do anything for anyone.
“I hope that everything gets sorted soon. I hope to see Widnes back in Super League where they belong.”
Widnes were relegated to the Championship at the end of last season.
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They have been docked 12 points by the governing body for having entered into administration and postponed their scheduled game with Sheffield Eagles at the weekend.
The situation is a dire one but Walker understands the club and the role it plays in the town and the sport.
🗣 "I'm extremely proud to have been a player for Widnes Vikings, and I certainly have a lot of love for the place..."#Club20 graduate number 11... @dannyjoewalker (PART 2)#RiseAgain #SaveOurClub #OnceAVikingAlwaysAViking pic.twitter.com/PHeyLftYXz
— Widnes Vikings (@WidnesRL) February 24, 2019
“It’s only 30 years ago that they were the best club in the world having won the World Club Challenge,” he said.
“I think it’s the only thing in Widnes that the people of Widnes have got.
“The people of Widnes are great people and they looked after me a lot when I was there.
“And I think the development of players at Widnes is probably the best in sport in general.
“There’s not many teams in any sport that have done what Widnes have done by giving players a chance and young lads a chance to achieve their goals by playing in Super League.
“It was an extremely proud moment for me and my family when I first got the chance to do that.
!I’m extremely proud to have been a player at Widnes Vikings. I’ve certainly got a lot of love for the place, it’s definitely in my heart.”
There have been bucket collections at pubs, junior clubs donating at matches, money collected at special car washes, hair cuts and a big effort to get numbers enrolled on VIQI.
At the weekend Widnes secured 810 new VIQI members and the crowd-funder passed the £50,000 mark.
Another big fundraising event will take place tonight at the Halton Stadium, from 6.30-8.30pm. All money raised will be allocated to the VIQI fundraising efforts to help save the club.
The event, which will be open to families and all supporters, will be attended by the Vikings first team players and coaches.
Supporters can pay at the door and the suggested minimum donation is £5.
The event will feature many incredible auction and raffle prizes.
To donate to the Vikings fund-raising efforts, click HERE
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