There will be plenty of familiar faces, plenty of entertainment and plenty of support for one of rugby league’s most loved characters when more than 600 people come together to Stand With Jai next Tuesday night.
The Rabbitohs will host the official NSW Stand With Jai Arrow Gala Dinner at the Sydney Events Centre at The Star on Tuesday, September 22, with all proceeds going towards supporting Arrow and his family following his diagnosis with Motor Neurone Disease.
And guests can expect much more than a traditional fundraising dinner.
Nine’s Danika Mason and Fox League’s Jake Duke will join forces as hosts, while Aussie music legends Jimmy Barnes, Brad Cox and Mahalia Barnes will provide the entertainment throughout the night.
For Duke, being asked to host the event alongside close friend Mason was a very special opportunity.
“Danika and I are mates with Jai. She’s very close with him through Liam, her partner, and I’ve known Jai since we were kids because he and my brother played football together at Burleigh Bears,” Duke told NRL.com.
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“I can’t think of a better cause to be involved with and it was an honour to be asked to do it.
“Danika and I are great mates as well, so it’s great to team up on something like this for such a wonderful bloke.”
Duke says the event will reflect Arrow and his bubbly personality, with plenty of laughter, stories and celebration.
“The spirit of the evening, like Jai and the way he has handled all of it, obviously his story is a sad one and a tough one, but his attitude has been one of a message of hope and resilience,” Duke said.
“Still sharing that laughter, just enjoying life when you get dealt a crap hand.
“The event will have a similar vibe.
We’re going to have fun, we’re going to have some good laughs and we’re going to tell some good Jai stories
And there will be no shortage of stories to tell.
Arrow has built a reputation throughout his career as one the most genuine characters with his infectious personality extending well beyond the footy field.
Duke believes that is part of the reason the rugby league community has rallied so strongly around him since his diagnosis.
“We describe him as a Labrador or golden retriever, the kind that everyone gravitates to,” Duke said.
Jai Arrow joins Danika Mason on the sidelines
“He’s got no ego whatsoever despite being a high-profile footballer.”
From Arrow’s birthday celebration at Accor Stadium, to a special home game jersey against the Broncos, and his emotional return to the field to reach his 100-game milestone, South Sydney has found ways to stand with Jai.
“I have to shout out the South Sydney Rabbitohs as well,” he said.
“They have done incredible work with everything we’ve seen with Jai this year, from his birthday, the 100 games, everything has been handled with such class and dignity.
“I think the rugby league community has shown that we rally around our own better than almost anyone, and this will be no different.”
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For Duke, there is also something powerful about being able to celebrate Arrow while raising vital funds for him and his family.
“We are going to raise a lot of money for him and Motor Neurone Disease because he’s a guy who deserves it,” he said.
“He’s brought so much awareness to the disease in the short time.”
The night will bring together teammates, friends, family, sporting stars and members of the NRL community, with Arrow and his family at the centre of it all.
Duke has seen first-hand just how much the support has meant to them throughout what has been a difficult year.
“There’s been no shortage of incredible moments this year and I know Jai and his family have been moved to tears and moved so much by the wonderful support they’ve got,” he said.
“And everyone has their own stuff going on, but I constantly remind myself there’s bigger problems in the world.
“When you see someone like Jai handling such a horrible disease with grace and resilience and using it as a positive, you can’t complain about the little things going on in your own life.”
Tickets are available until Thursday, September 17.
- Stand with Jai Arrow Gala Dinner TICKETS HERE
