Semi Radradra to lead charity drive to raise funds for Fijian affected by Cyclone Winston
SEMI Radradra will help spearhead a UNICEF drive aimed at raising funds for Fijians impacted by Cyclone Winston.
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HE brings a smile to the faces of all Parramatta fans every time they see him run out.
But this Thursday night, you’d imagine there might be something even a little more special in the cheer for big Semi Radradra when he takes the field to tackle the Broncos in the 2016 NRL season opener.
The smiling Fijian flyer made a welcome return to Eels training on Sunday when he jumped straight off a plane and rushed to join his teammates following his four-day mercy dash back to his cyclone ravaged nation.
Parramatta coach Brad Arthur gave Radradra the green light to leave Sydney last Thursday morning for the flight and 12-hour boat ride to the village of Somosomo, where he was a struggling kava farmer before being snapped up by Parramatta Eels talent scouts two years ago.
Radradra had been uncontactable since leaving because communications in most areas of Fiji were still down following Cyclone Winston which left a trail of destruction.
The club’s welfare officer had received one message that his family was okay before Semi touched down on Sunday on his return and was driven straight to training.
Radradra won the hearts of league fans throughout the game when they heard about his touching story of how he used the money from his first contract with Parramatta to build his family the first home they ever owned.
The NRL and the Parramatta have pledged fundraising support for Fiji with ARLC chairman John Grant kicking it off with a $50,000 donation, and volunteers will also collect for the appeal around Parramatta Stadium precinct on Thursday night.
Radradra will also donate his boots from the round one blockbuster to be auctioned, while the Eels will donate two dollars from every “Semitrailer” T-shirt sold at the game _ and will auction a number of “inner sanctum” experiences with all proceeds going to the UNICEF appeal.
* Donations to the UNICEF Fiji appeal can be made at unicef.org.au.
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Originally published as Semi Radradra to lead charity drive to raise funds for Fijian affected by Cyclone Winston
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