Slam Dunk For After Adoption!
Warrington Wolves stars successfully tried their hand at a different kind of ball game at the weekend when they took to the basketball court.
The event in aid of After Adoption raised £1000 for the charity and was organised by Manchester-based After Adoption Community Fundraiser and former England basketball star Delme Herriman.
The likes of Paul Wood, Gareth O'Brien, Micky Higham, Ryan Shaw, Gene Ormsby, James Laithwaite, Jordan Burke, Ben Currie, Brad Dwyer, James Saltonstall, Gavin Bennion, Danny Bridge and James Mendeika all attended the main event in which the Wolves faced an After Adoption All Stars team for the second year running.
After an opening basket from the All Stars it was Gene Ormsby who was the first to get his name on the Wolves' score sheet. The 40-0 advantage the Wolves were given at the start of the game made for an exciting finale with the rugby lads snatching a last minute victory 74-72.
Both the Wolves' and All Stars' teams put on an entertaining display in front of a healthy crowd at Birchwood Leisure Centre with the basketball skills of former NBA star John Amaechi (No. 15 right) and former Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Delme Herriman also on show, cheered on by Wolfie and Fusion Juniors.
Several children's basketball games were also held throughout the morning involving pupils from Bridgewater High School and Birchwood High School, plus the Invaders and Warrington South Tornadoes sides.
Delme, who was adopted himself, said: "The event was a great success with families enjoying a closely fought match. We will definitely be back next year to even up the score!"
He would also like to thank all those who made the event a success including MC Paul Sleem.
Wolves' Gareth O'Brien said: "It was something different for the lads to do and was all for a great cause. The more we can do for the community and help charities out the better. We really enjoyed it and just held on to the win. Some of the opposition were massive, well over six foot. It was tough but it was all in good spirit and all the guys were great. Everyone enjoyed it and the crowd got into it too, I'd be happy to take part again next year."
One of the UK's leading adoption charities, After Adoption works to find loving homes for children in care, helps birth relatives deal with loss, supports those searching for a relative, works with adoptive families, and provides counselling and information to all those affected by adoption.
With a dedicated family finding service, Families that Last, After Adoption has extensive experience of finding permanent carers for children who cannot stay with their birth parents, and providing the lifelong support to make these placements work.
14, Dec, 2012
