Matt Ratana Rugby Foundation fundraiser: Celebrities support for slain cop

Matt Ratana, with partner Su Bushby. Ratana, a police officer killed on duty, was passionate about rugby and was the head coach of the East Grinstead club in Sussex. Photo / Supplied

British celebrities have helped raise more than $100,000 for a rugby foundation launched in memory of slain Kiwi cop Matiu "Matt" Ratana.

The 54-year-old Metropolitan police sergeant died in September after he was shot in the chest while preparing to search a handcuffed suspect, who had smuggled a revolver into a Croydon, south London, custody room.

The father-of-one originally from Hawke's Bay joined the Met police in 1991 and had also spent time in the New Zealand police force.

Today, the foundation set up in his name to support community and school rugby in the United Kingdom asked supporters to buy rugby shirts and other clothing to raise help funds for future foundation initiatives.

Ratana was passionate about rugby and was head coach of the East Grinstead club in Sussex.

Within a few hours, £55,494 ($106,387) had been raised. The foundation's target is £100,000 ($191,000) by Monday morning NZT.

"What an amazing day!," the foundation's official Twitter page tweeted.

Among those to wear their Matt Ratana Rugby Foundation rugby jerseys with pride were England rugby players, broadcasters and Met Police commissioner Dame Cressida Dick.

Several high-profile rugby players posted photos in their new foundation jerseys, flashing four fingers in solidarity with the foundation's Twitter handle @Try4Matt.

Former England rugby international Will Greenwood wrote that he was "delighted to be taking part" and urged others to join him.

I am delighted to be taking part in the MRRF Challenge to celebrate the launch of The Matt Ratana Rugby Foundation in memory of Matt. To take part in this challenge, all you've got to do is:#Donate4Matt Donate to the Matt Ratana Rugby Foundation here: https://t.co/5WAaqx0ShT pic.twitter.com/UMwtnH2qjX

— Will Greenwood (@WillGreenwood) November 20, 2020

Fellow former England cap Chris Robshaw also showed his support, as did England women's team stalwart Tamara Taylor and rising star former u20 England lock Joel Kpoku.

Others to post photos in their foundation jerseys included former Harlequins and Sale Sharks centre Mel Deane, Saracens' Alex Lewington, Leicester Tigers' Richard Wigglesworth and former Scotland rugby international Kenny Logan and his TV presenter wife, Gabby Logan.

I'm taking part in the MRRF Challenge. You can too:#Donate4Matt Donate to the Matt Ratana Rugby Foundation⁰#Celebrate4Matt Your thank you gift is on it's way...⁰#Try4Matt Try out our AR Filter on your receipt⁰#Nominate4Matt Tag 4 mates to do the same pic.twitter.com/FOoDbTA5Nh

— joel k (@joel_kpoku) November 20, 2020

Broadcaster Piers Morgan, who has 7.6 million Twitter followers, tweeted that he was "honoured to be taking part in the MRRF Challenge to celebrate the launch of The Matt Ratana Rugby Foundation".

Honoured to be taking part in the MRRF Challenge to celebrate the launch of The Matt Ratana Rugby Foundation @Try4Matt in memory of a police hero killed in the line of duty. Please join in & donate here: https://t.co/WuYTozUBjH #Donate4Matt pic.twitter.com/IpTJmOUtP1

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) November 20, 2020

Dick, who described Ratana at his funeral as an inspiration to others during his life and who would "remain so for generations to come", also backed the fundraiser, posing in a foundation polo top and encouraging others to "get involved and show your support".

"What amazing support we've had!," the foundation wrote, re-tweeting the post.