Wear purple to show support

The Southland Times and Rugby Southland are coming together again this year to hold a Purple Work Shirt Day, and we’d love the rest of the south to join in.

The official Purple Work Shirt Day is on Friday, and we’d love schools and businesses to take part and wear a dash of purple to show their support for the Stags and to the charity Ronald McDonald House.

And, on Sunday, the Stag’s first home game of the season, to wear purple, and in the spirit of giving, to donate money to the Ronald McDonald House this week, by going to their donation page rmhsi.org.nz/donations.

Ronald McDonald House South Island chief executive Mandy Kennedy said: ‘‘We’re delighted and so grateful for the generosity of Southlanders on Purple Work Shirt Day. Last year, 83 Southland families found a ‘home away from home’ in our Family Room. By supporting the Family Room, Southlanders are giving back to their own community and helping to keep our doors open to each and every family that needs us.’’

Rugby Southland commercial manager Breidi McStay said Purple Work Shirt day was a great way to celebrate not only the Stags but Southland as well.

‘‘This is a great opportunity to support one of our official charities and kick off the Mitre 10 Cup season in true Southland style, and we look forward to seeing everyone get behind it on Friday and then at the game on Sunday.’’

Success isn’t just at the end of the season, it’s year-round. It’s the hard yards that everyone puts in, and Southlanders are very good at that. There are so many people in the south who do so much. But what we need to learn is to have fun and to celebrate the people who live here, and that is the essence of Purple Work Shirt Day.

Be proud to be a Southlander.