Penrith forward Isaah Yeo says the sight of captain James Tamou defending properties against bushfires typifies the "selfless" front-rower.
Tamou spent the Christmas break helping his wife's family ward off blazes around Braidwood in regional NSW.
"It's unfortunate that he did have family involved but it was a wonderful initiative from him," Yeo said of the 31-year-old, who also generously offered shelter to those in need via Instagram.
"It just goes to show that no matter how big a name you are, these things are bigger than anything."
Following Tamou's lead, Penrith are hosting a fundraiser for the NSW Rural Fire Service at Panthers Stadium on Saturday from 8-10am, starting with an open NRL training session.
Tamou's personal tale amid bushfire tragedy
Entry is free but fans are encouraged to make a donation to the NSW Rural Fire Service.
Players will mingle for photos and autographs around 9:30am, while Panthers sponsors have combined to provide a free BBQ breakfast, fresh fruit, coffee, bottled water, a jumping castle and a teacup ride.
Nate Da Barber - who cuts the hair of star halfback Nathan Cleary among others - and his crew are giving trims for a $25 donation.
Yeo urged everyone in the area to support a very worthy cause.
"My message would be: This is bigger than the game," he said.
"Even if you're not a Penrith supporter and you're still in the community and looking for something on Saturday morning, do a good deed, come down and watch."
Yeo hasn't been personally affected by the bushfires but he glimpsed the devastation while driving to Mudgee over the holidays.
"I couldn't even imagine what all those families are going through at the moment and how big that rebuild is going to be," he said.
"We think we're doing it tough in pre-season [training] and then you go and see some of the videos and the stories that you're hearing about the RFS and the firies out in the actual line, putting themselves in front of the flames."
Penrith are one of many NRL clubs assisting bushfire victims - Canterbury have notably committed $50,000 to relief efforts in conjunction with their Leagues Club - while several players have sold personal items to raise funds of their own accord.
The NRL announced on Wednesday that round one of the upcoming season will be a dedicated Bushfire Appeal Round.
"The rugby league community and other sporting communities do a wonderful job in getting on the front foot and helping where they can," Yeo said.
"It's not just the players, to be fair. On social media, we've got fan pages messaging players and asking for signed jerseys, memorabilia, stuff like that [to auction off]."
