Funeral for Collins' partner in Canada

A funeral for Jerry Collins was held last month.
A funeral for Jerry Collins was held last month.
The Canadian partner of former All Black Jerry Collins, who died in a car crash in France last month, will finally be laid to rest.

Alana Madill and Collins (both aged 34) were killed when their car was struck by a bus on a motorway near Beziers, in southern France, on June 5. 

Their three-month-old daughter Ayla was injured and is in Canada with Ms Madill's parents, Ruth and Darrell Madill.

While Collins was laid to rest in an emotional funeral attended by thousands including the Madills, friends, fans, and former teammates at Porirua's Te Rauparaha Arena on June 17, Ms Madill's family and friends have had to wait to say their final goodbyes as their priority has been caring for Ayla.

The baby was transferred from Montpellier Hospital to Winnipeg Children's Hospital on July 6.

She was then discharged in to her grandparents' care four days later. It is likely that she will have ongoing disabilities.

Ms Madill's close friend, Jordan McDonald, has revealed that the funeral would be held on August 1 at Regina Rugby Club in the capital city of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan.

A fundraising event would be held the same day. All proceeds would go to assist the Madill family's expenses for the future care of Ayla, the local Leader-Post newspaper reported.

A silent auction would be held and Ms McDonald hoped for a large turnout for the "upbeat and fun" event that her friend would have wanted.

"She was special," Ms McDonald told the Leader-Post.

"Alana had this thing about her that drew people to her."

People unable to attend the event could donate at In Memory of Alana Madill online at www.gofundme.com.

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