SINGER Lizzie Jones – widow of tragic Keighley Cougars star Danny – performed at a prestigious awards ceremony on Saturday.

Her moving rendition of Hallelujah closed the glittering Yorkshire Choice Awards at Leeds United's Elland Road stadium.

And during the evening, Mrs Jones received £3,000 in donations for a defibrillator appeal she set up in association with the RFL Benevolent Fund.

The appeal, which next year will be the chosen charity of the awards scheme, aims to buy defibrillators for rugby clubs across the UK.

"We invited Lizzie to talk about the fund and, as a result of what they heard, three guests made donations," said Jo Maltby, co-founder of the awards.

"It was an amazing night."

Danny Jones died last May after collapsing during a Cougars match against London Skolars.

It was later discovered the 29-year-old Welsh international had an undetected hereditary heart condition.

Mrs Jones has already successfully campaigned for cardiac screening to become mandatory in the top three RL leagues.