Super League club Salford Red Devils have unveiled a new kit which pays tribute to those killed in the Manchester Arena bombing last year.
The yellow and black kit features a bee on the front in place of the club's usual sponsor Mitsubishi Motors.
Last year, the Red Devils threw open the gates for their game against Catalan Dragons and raised almost £50k for the emergency fund set up in the wake of the bombing for the victims’ families.
Now, as Salford Devils prepare to take on the Dragons again, this time in rugby league’s Magic Weekend, the club has come out in support of its neighbouring city again. Proceeds from shirt sales will go to the victim’s families.
Red Devils’ managing director Ian Laithwaite said: “One year on, our community remains very much affected by the events of that night. Many supporters, not just from Salford but from the rugby league family as a whole, know of people caught up in the tragic events and when we sat down to decide who we should support with our Magic Weekend shirt this season, the decision was made in an instant.
“The timing of Magic Weekend on the eve of the anniversary will be a poignant one for families across the North of England, and we are proud to be a able to play a small part in the events being held to commemorate those who lost their lives so needlessly.
“Many of our fans, staff, players and partners attend the Arena on a regular basis with their families, or live in Manchester. It is therefore something close to all of our hearts.”
During the development of the design, Main Partner, Mitsubishi Motors immediately agreed to relocate their own branding onto the back of the shirt, in order to give the charity more prominence.
Vicky Rosin, We Love Manchester Emergency Fund chief operating officer, said: “We are unbelievably grateful for the generous donations to the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund. The world’s solidarity with our city has been a ray of light in Manchester’s darkest hour. To raise more than £20m is an amazing response. Thanks to everyone who has contributed.
“The kind gestures from Salford Red Devils and Mitsubishi will contribute to helping many people affected by the terrible events of 22 May 2017.
“We have done our very best, with guidance from clinicians, to distribute the money so generously raised by the public, and we continue to look at options for helping as many people as possible from the funds that remain.”
To pre-order your limited edition We Love Manchester Magic Weekend Shirt click this link. https://www.salfordreddevilsshop.com/replica
£5 from each purchase will be donated to the fund.
The We Love Manchester Emergency Fund was set up to help victims of the bombing on May 22, 2017. So far, more than £20m has been raised, with over £16m having already been committed to helping those who suffered in the attack. More details are available at the website: www.manchesteremergencyfund.com.
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