Former Vikings player John Stankevitch is hoping to make a difference to junior rugby in the town in memory of his late mother.
The ex-back-row forward, who also won a Super League title with St Helens, wants to build a legacy for mum Cath, who died following a traffic incident in September.
He has been raising awareness of the #CathieStankevitchFund on Twitter, and has received donations from around the rugby league world.
John said: “I was taken aback by the number of people who wanted to send flowers, and that’s when I thought that the money could be better spent elsewhere and make a real difference.
“My mum was always involved with junior rugby and was passionate about helping disadvantaged people, such as the homeless.
“I started playing rugby as a kid and mum and dad used to take me everywhere and it’s a massive part as why I made it as a professional so I want to put something back in mum’s name and we want to make sure those things she was passionate about are able to benefit from her legacy.”
Stankevitch, who was also assistant coach to Steve McCormack in 2008 and had a two-game spell as caretaker head coach in 2009, hopes to hold a charity auction in the near future and is still welcoming donations.
To get in touch with John, follow him on Twitter @johnstankevitch or email jamesg@widnesvikings.co.uk and messages will be passed on.
