NRL fans are set to break the world record for largest gathering of people wearing party hats amid birthday celebrations for ex-player Jai Arrow.
The NRL estimates around $1 million has been raised for Arrow since May, when a diagnosis of motor neurone disease forced the South Sydney forward into retirement.
His 31st birthday coinciding with Sunday’s clash between Souths and Newcastle, Arrow was thrown the “world’s biggest birthday party” by the NRL.
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Arrow himself was on hand, the same week as he married long-term partner Berina and attended Wednesday night’s State of Origin decider.
“Unreal. I’m truly honoured to be here,” Arrow told Fox Sport’s pre-match broadcast.
“I want to thank everyone from the bottom of me and my family’s heart. I get emotional thinking about it (the support).”
Hundreds of fans queued up in party hats waiting for Accor Stadium’s gates to open at 1230 AEST, while others secured theirs on entry.
The NRL printed some 10,000 hats to distribute on game day, and thousands more were sold online by fans showing their virtual support.
Sunday’s game-day raffle at Accor Stadium was also pledged to Arrow and his family, who will receive all proceeds of the fundraising.
The Wiggles were organised to perform half-time entertainment, with a giant 120kg birthday cake on hand for after the game.
Singer-songwriter KYE performed with an acoustic guitar before the game and wished Arrow a happy birthday after her final song.
The NRL will submit footage to the Guinness World Records for assessment, but are confident of having broken the standing mark of 1,924 people wearing party hats.
That figure was achieved at Ohio State University last year as students held birthday celebrations for the school’s mascot.
Arrow and his partner will fly to the US next week to attend the FIFA World Cup final.
