Players impress at Cowboys Night for a Cause

Just one day after defeating the Broncos, thirteen North Queensland Toyota Cowboys kicked goals off-field with the much-anticipated Cowboys Night for a Cause raising more than $52,000 for charity.

The fundraising event was the culmination of months of hard work for the group and the capstone activity of their Diploma of Hospitality Management and Business through Cowboys' official training partner Allara Learning.

More than 200 people attended last Friday night's event that was organised by the players as a unique experience for them to develop their practical skills outside of a classroom setting.

Allara Learning Queensland State Manager Arthur Burchett said he was thrilled with how hard the group had worked to deliver the event and was happy to be able to facilitate such a unique and worthwhile learning experience for the players.

"The players were entirely responsible for the event. They had to source and negotiate the venue, the food, the drinks and the entertainment, as well as sell tickets for the night. They did a great job," Mr Burchett said.

Guests included Minister for Communities and Minister for Disability Services and Seniors Coralee O'Rourke and Assistant Minister for Vocational Education and Skills Karen Andrews, and were greeted and served by the players including Michael Morgan, John Asiata, Lachlan Coote, Jason Taumalolo, Jake Granville, Josh Chudleigh, Coen Hess, Ethan Lowe, Ben Hampton, Antonio Winterstein, Shane Wright, Jake Clifford and Carlin Anderson throughout the evening.

Local music acts Miella Sartori and Jade Holland wowed the crowd, and a special performance by John Asiata who debuted a song he wrote and composed himself was one of the night's highlights.

Guests were also treated to a lively performance by magician Adam Dean and participated in a live auction of exclusive Cowboys memorabilia and experiences, including signed and framed boots from Johnathan Thurston and Jason Taumalolo.

Proceeds from the event were split evenly between seven charities selected by the group, with Michael Morgan explaining just how special that was for him personally.

"Having sadly lost both a close friend and a cousin to suicide, headspace (National Youth Mental Health Foundation) is an organisation very dear to me; so being able to raise awareness and funds to help them continue doing such important work was a privilege for me," he said.

The $52,000 raised from the event is being donated to headspace, Livin, Multicap, Ronald McDonald House, Epilepsy Queensland, NRL Cowboys House and the Pyjama Foundation.