LOCAL premiership rugby team Harlequins will be raising funds for the Tongan recovery effort following today's Rugby match at the Stoop.

The Twickenham side have said that proceeds from the weekly post-match cup collection will go to the Pacific Tsunami Appeal by the New Zealand Red Cross for the island.

Tonga was hit by a volcano blast on Saturday, covering islands in ash and causing 15-foot tsunami waves.

Communication with the government has only just resumed and yesterday the first planes with relief supplies landed.

Seven Harlequins players in the club's history have come from Tonga, including current flanker Viliami Taulani, who joined in 2021.

Viliami said: "I'm grateful and lucky to have heard from my family in Tonga who are safe and well, but many people back home have not had that contact.

"Tonga has been devastated by this disaster and there are hundreds, thousands of people that are in desperate need of help.

"There is an opportunity for anyone attending our game this week to send support to Tonga just by donating their empty beer cup to the Foundation. If you haven't been able to attend the match, you can also donate directly.

"The support will mean a huge amount to a struggling people. I'm proud to join the list of Tongans to have represented Harlequins and grateful to be part of a team wanting to make a difference."

Cup collections have been taking place after Quins matches all season as part of an initiative by the club's Foundation.

The club said: "It is important to The Club and The Foundation that we support everyone in the Quins family and do what we can to support the recovery."

Head of the Harlequins Foundation Marc Leckie said: "Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the events in Tonga.

"We are a Club, and when we can help one of our family who has been directly impacted by this, we will do so.

"We will be donating any money raised through our cup donation initiative at the Castres game to the relief efforts in Tonga, so please find one of The Harlequins Foundation cup donation bins and donate your cup for good."

The Tonga relief effort can be found at www.redcross.org.nz/what-we-do/overseas/tonga-volcanic-eruption-and-tsunami/

Harlequins play Castres tomorrow at the Stoop with kick-off at 8pm. Find tickets HERE