Grip Star Socks Raises $40,364 for Jacek “Yak” McLaurin Through Sock Round for Yak
Grip Star Socks is incredibly proud to announce that the Sock Round for Yak initiative has raised an amazing $40,364 to support Jacek “Yak” McLaurin and his recovery.
What began as an opportunity to rally behind one of rugby league’s own grew into an incredible show of support across multiple states, rugby league organisations, clubs and communities.
Through the sale of specially designed Yak fundraising socks, along with the support of clubs, players, officials, families and individuals, the rugby league community came together for a cause much bigger than the game.
$40,364 Raised for Yak and His Recovery
The final fundraising total of $40,364 is something everyone involved in Sock Round for Yak can be immensely proud of.
Grip Star Socks would like to thank every person who purchased a pair of Yak socks, every player who pulled them on, every club that supported a fundraising round and every organisation that helped spread the message.
Every pair played a part.
Most importantly, the funds raised will go towards supporting Jacek McLaurin and his ongoing recovery.
The success of the campaign demonstrated what can happen when sporting communities work together towards a common goal.
Rugby League Communities Across Australia Get Behind Yak
Sock Round for Yak received support across multiple rugby league competitions, clubs and organisations, helping take the campaign well beyond a single community.
Grip Star Socks would particularly like to recognise the enormous support and assistance of:
- Ashton Sims – Group 7 Rugby League NSW
- Carlo Napolitano – Illawarra Rugby League NSW
- Adam Devcich – Newcastle Rugby League
- Dave Maidan – Brisbane Rugby League
- Jade Johnson – Queensland Rugby League
Their support helped bring clubs, competitions and communities together behind Yak and the McLaurin family.
A huge thank you also goes to every club, organisation, player, volunteer, supporter and individual who contributed to the campaign.
Whether you helped organise a sock round, promoted the fundraiser, purchased socks, wore them on game day or simply helped spread the word, you played an important role in reaching the incredible $40,364 fundraising total.
David Boland, Sales & Marketing Director at Grip Star Socks, said:
“When we first got involved with Sock Round for Yak, our goal was simply to do everything we could to help Jacek and the McLaurin family. To see rugby league communities across multiple states come together and help raise $40,364 has been incredible.
This result belongs to every club, organisation, player, family and individual who got behind the initiative. We can’t thank Ashton, Carlo, Adam, Dave, Jade and everyone involved enough for helping make the Sock Round for Yak such a success.
Sport has an incredible ability to bring people together when it matters most, and I think this campaign has shown exactly that. We’re extremely proud that Grip Star Socks could play a part, and most importantly, we hope the funds raised can make a meaningful difference for Yak and his family throughout his recovery.”
A Message From Ashton Sims
Ashton Sims shared his appreciation following the success of Sock Round for Yak:
“Just wanted to thank you again for all your hard work and support in a successful Sock Round For Yak.
Your efforts certainly haven’t gone unnoticed.
Please pass on our gratitude to the Grip Socks Team.”
The campaign was ultimately a team effort, and the response from rugby league communities across different regions showed just how powerful sport can be when people come together to support one another.
The McLaurin Family Thanks Grip Star Socks and the Rugby League Community
For Grip Star Socks, the most meaningful messages came from Jacek’s family.
Kesara McLaurin said:
“The McLaurin family would like to thank Dave and the team at Grip Star Socks for their incredible efforts in raising funds for YAK and his recovery. We truly appreciate your generosity, support and everything you’ve done.”
Hamish McLaurin added:
“The McLaurin family would like to thank Dave and the whole team at Grip Star Socks for the effort they made raising as much money as possible for YAK and his recovery – our family appreciates it.”
These words are a reminder of why Sock Round for Yak was created in the first place.
Behind the clubs, competitions, socks and fundraising total is a family going through an incredibly challenging period, and an Australian sporting community determined to stand beside them.
More Than Just a Pair of Socks
At Grip Star Socks, sport has always been about more than what happens on the field.
It’s about teammates.
It’s about families.
It’s about clubs and communities.
And when someone within that community needs support, it’s about coming together and doing whatever we can to help.
Sock Round for Yak showed exactly what the rugby league community is capable of.
Seeing players across different competitions take the field wearing their Yak socks was incredibly special, but knowing every pair was contributing towards Jacek’s recovery made the initiative even more meaningful.
Thank You to Everyone Who Supported Sock Round for Yak
To every rugby league organisation that supported the initiative, every club that participated, every volunteer who helped coordinate a round and every individual who purchased or wore a pair of Yak socks:
Thank you.
Together, you helped raise an incredible:
$40,364 FOR YAK
Grip Star Socks is extremely proud to have played a part in bringing the campaign together, but this result belongs to the entire community that got behind it.
A special thank you once again to Ashton Sims and Group 7 Rugby League NSW, Carlo Napolitano and Illawarra Rugby League NSW, Adam Devcich and Newcastle Rugby League, Dave Maidan and Brisbane Rugby League, and Jade Johnson and Queensland Rugby League, along with every club and organisation that supported Sock Round for Yak.
Most importantly, Grip Star Socks continues to send its support to Jacek “Yak” McLaurin, the McLaurin family and everyone alongside Yak throughout his recovery.
$40,364 raised. Multiple states. Countless clubs and supporters. One community behind Yak.
Thank you for getting behind Sock Round for Yak.