It’s been a tough year off the field for the club, who lost 16-year-old Jack Cutcliffe in April and Col Easter in May – both to heart related issues.

In a show of support for both families, the club decided to donate all the money raised from its annual ladies day to the Tamworth Heart Foundation.

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“Given what happened with Jack and Col, it was a good opportunity for us to support a local cause,” Pirates social coordinator, Steph Walsh said.

“As a club, we wanted to show we were supporting them.”

The club raised $9500 through silent auctions, raffles, gate takings and ladies day tickets.

“We had a lot of businesses, who donated items for the auctions and raffles, and we are very grateful for their support,” Ms Walsh said.

Cross town rivals, Tamworth Rugby Club, contributed $1600 through the auction of two jerseys at its ladies’ day, which was on the previous weekend.

“We are really lucky to have a strong rugby community – the Magpies might be rivals on the field, but it was really humbling to have them look past that and have that money go towards the charity,” Ms Walsh said. 

Local Heart Foundation coordinator Penny Milson said all the money would be spent locally.

“It’s a huge effort and there was great excitement in the Sydney office with the sum raised locally,” she said.