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A limited edition red and black Hunting and Fishing cyclone jacket with the Counties Manukau Rugby Football Union logo goes on sale this week with a percentage of proceeds going to a cause close to the heart of those involved.

Raewyn Cook, owner Hunting & Fishing Franklin store, has partnered with CMRFU on the project that will raise proceeds to go to the I AM HOPE charity.

Hunting & Fishing Franklin has supported Counties Manukau Rugby for the past few years with a sign at Navigation Homes Stadium.

“My twin boys were both very into their rugby and my husband still is, and Aaron, my son who is now passed, wanted to be associated with the Union,” Cook explained. “I am not sure if he contacted them or they contacted us first but now we’ve had the sign up for four or five years.

“We really love our connection with the Union. Both my boys and my husband played rugby with Kieran Read years ago. We are very much a rugby family and it’s just a great relationship with us being an outdoor store as well.

“My son struggled with his mental health, and we really liked the I AM HOPE charity, not just because it’s about mental health but we like the way that they run their charity. We did hum and ha if we did really want to do it because, to be fair, it’s still a really hard subject for us, but if we can help someone else with a small amount or donation then that’s great.

“We are really excited about this relationship; once the Union approached us, we’ve not thought or talked about a lot else since, because we are just so excited about it and we really hope we can grow it moving forward.”

The popular jackets were specifically chosen with Counties Manukau Rugby in mind. They will be red and black in colour and feature the Union’s logo – embroidered by local company Custom Threadz.

"When I was asked to contribute towards these jackets, I jumped at the chance to help,” said Custom Threadz owner Mala Uka. “Custom Threadz’ assistance is only a small contribution, but it feels good to support a local initiative. The I AM HOPE foundation does great work and they need all the support they can get with our growing metal health issues in New Zealand.

“Custom Threadz has had a long working relationship with Counties Manukau Rugby Union, and we always try to assist in any way we can. The local community is the heart of small local business like ours and we love to provide our support to others where we can."

Counties Manukau Rugby head of commercial Andrew Philips said the Union is proud to be involved in such a great collaboration with Hunting and Fishing Franklin.

“It is such a great initiative with local businesses working together to do something that means a lot to us all,” Philips said. “We have looked at doing something together in the past, so I am excited that we have now been able to bring this to fruition.”

“People are the most important thing when it comes to local businesses, and it is great to connect with two such operations that are proud of their community and want to do something to help.

“We couldn’t be involved with better people and cherish the long- term relationships we have with both businesses.”

The jackets will be on sale from Saturday (June 3) with PIC Steelers and Counties Energy Heat players in Hunting & Fishing Franklin from 10am-11.30am. A sausage sizzle will also be running over that time.

The jackets will cost $189 with a percentage of the proceeds going to the I AM HOPE foundation.