Freemasons have donated $50,000 to the New Zealand Rugby Foundation to help provide support to New Zealand’s seriously injured rugby players. 

The donation was announced at a special Freemasons charity evening at the North Shore Masonic Centre in Albany on the night of the second test between the All Blacks and British and Irish Lions rugby team. 

“We are delighted and humbled to receive this substantial gift.  It will be used to help heat the homes of our injured players,” said Rugby Foundation Director and All Blacks legend, Bryan Williams. 

The New Zealand Rugby Foundation partners with rugby players who have suffered life changing catastrophic injuries.  The Foundation currently works with 106 VIPs across the country.  

  “One of the most debilitating physical aspects for our VIPs (Very Injured Players) is that some players suffer from body temperature control impairment.  They lose their natural temperature control and therefore can become cold or hot, quickly.” 

Freemasons Auckland District Grand Master Dennis Waller a past Wellington representative said ‘Many famous All Blacks such as Kel Tremain, Bob Scott and Ron Jarden were Freemasons and benevolence is an integral part of our organization. We thought it was time we helped the rugby community in some way.  This donation comes with major assistance from the Freemasons Foundation, one of our Charitable Trusts’. 

“We are deeply grateful for the Freemasons Foundation’s support. Their values of camaraderie and community support resonates with the Rugby Foundation; people caring about others,” said Lisa Kingi-Bon, New Zealand Rugby Foundation CEO.