Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Retired rugby league champion Jai Arrow will take centre stage at the MCG this King’s Birthday as the sporting community rallies behind the 30-year-old following his recent motor neurone disease (MND) diagnosis.
In a powerful cross-code tribute, the former State of Origin representative will head to the MCG as a special guest of Collingwood, where he will toss the coin before the Magpies’ blockbuster clash against Melbourne.
The match will mark the 12th edition of the Big Freeze – the first since the recent passing of its legendary architect and MND crusader, Neale Daniher.
Having raised more than $115 million for FightMND, the annual event will now help shine a light on Arrow’s own battle, which he revealed publicly in late May.
The gesture comes as rugby league bosses and fans co-ordinate a massive support network closer to home for the former forward, whose decorated 13-year career was cut short by the diagnosis.
The upcoming month will transform into “Jai July”, a fan-driven fundraising initiative adopted by the league.
The campaign effectively pivots away from the previous “Try July” promotion to focus entirely on raising money directly for Arrow and his young family.
The campaign will wrap up on July 12, marking Arrow’s 31st birthday, which coincides with a South Sydney home game.
Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys promised a massive celebration, stating the league is “planning to throw the world’s biggest birthday party” for the retired star.
Tributes will begin even sooner, with South Sydney planning to honour Arrow at their upcoming home match against the Brisbane Broncos.
South Sydney chief executive Blake Solly told The Daily Telegraph they were looking forward to celebrating Jai’s career and his contribution to the club “in front of our fans and members”.
“After that, we will be looking to continue to support Jai’s fight with a series of fundraising initiative and events including the July 12 match,” Mr Solly said.
“We know that Jai is in for the fight and everyone at our club and across the game is committed to supporting him, Berina and Ayla as much as we can.”
Arrow recently travelled to a wellness retreat in Spain with his fiancee, Berina, to process the news.
While MND Australia notes the average life expectancy following a diagnosis is two to three years, the progression of the disease varies greatly between individuals.
The couple have chosen to focus entirely on the present, with Berina revealing they “don’t want to know” Arrow’s exact prognosis and sharing her hopes that their one-year-old daughter, Ayla, might still become an older sister.
Speaking on KIIS FM, Arrow said his focus remains entirely on his family.
“For me, it’s (to) be around for my daughter and Berina for as long as I can,” Arrow said.
“And she knows I’ll do that. I’ll fight, and I’ll beat it, I will.”
