Tinus Linee Day a massive success
Linee has been diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease and Saturday’s Super Rugby clash between the DHL Stormers and the Reds was used as a vehicle to help raise much-needed funds for him.
Bucket collections were held around the stadium throughout the game and Linee was the guest of honour in the WP President’s Suite. He also made an emotional appearance on the field at half-time – where he was joined by some of his ex-teammates; WP players, club mates, Springboks and some SA Rugby Legends too.
Some of the familiar faces on the field with Linee included his long-time WP teammate and close friend, Chester Williams, as well as 1995 World Cup winner Rob Brink, Bok lock Nico Wegner, former WP teammate Jerome Paarwater (another close friend of Linee’s), as well as the likes of Normaan Jordaan, Rodger Smith, Lance Sherrell and Andrew Paterson.
An appreciative and emotional Linee said afterwards: “I am really grateful to everyone – from WP Rugby, in particular Thelo Wakefield, my former teammates and the rugby-watching public – some of whom I have never met before.
“Thank you – my wife, Diana, and I will never forget what everyone has done for us.”
Thelo Wakefield, the WPRFU President, added: “The buy-in from everyone, be it the WP Rugby sponsors, the members of the public – not just the DHL Newlands Faithful – and the media, has been exceptional.
“It was wonderful having Tinus as our guest today and we wish him and Diana well. We will, of course, remain in full contact with Tinus moving forward and will hopefully still be able to collect more money for him in the coming weeks.”
The dedicated Tinus Linee SMS line – SMS ‘Tinus’ to 38208 (SMSes are charged at R10) – will be in operation for another week; so if you have not yet done so, send an SMS RIGHT NOW!
Further, or larger, financial contributions can also be made by making a deposit to the WP Rugby President’s Trust, using ‘Tinus Linee’ as the reference (see the bank details below), whilst you can email [email protected] should you require any further information about Tinus or our fund-raising efforts.
* A massive thank you to WP Rugby sponsors/partners, the Treble Group, DHL, Tsogo Sun, Oude Molen, Spur, Peninsula Beverages, Momentum Employee Benefits and the Players Fund, for their generous cash donations towards Tinus Linee this past week.
A huge thank you must also go towards Vodacom, SuperSport, Media24/Gallo Images, FMG, Leisure Hotels, SAB and Phoenix Software for donating their time, product or offering their services to help Tinus.
Finally, a big thanks to all the ex-Western Province players and SA Rugby Legends for attending today’s match and supporting Tinus on the pitch at half-time.
Yes, results are important… but, ultimately, this is what rugby is all about!
The President’s Trust bank details are as follows:
Account name: The Western Province Rugby Union President’s Trust
A/C no.: 62376831080
Clearing code: 200-109
Bank and branch: First National Bank, Claremont
Referee: ‘Tinus Linee’
* CHECK OUT A PHOTO GALLERY from Friday’s DHL Stormers captain’s run, with Tinus in attendance.
