Trust set up for Jonah Lomu kids after rugby star died broke

Global rugby superstar Jonah Lomu died broke, a victim of his own generosity and a 20-year illness that diminished his ability to work — prompting the setting up of a trust fund to support his children.

The New Zealand Rugby Players Association (NZRPA) has established the Jonah Lomu Legacy Trust to care for his two sons, Brayley and Dhyreille, but their mother Nadene, Jonah’s third wife, is not named as a beneficiary.

A statement announcing the launch of the independent trust yesterday says that it will be managed “by a team of highly skilled professional individuals who are not related to the Lomu boys or family”.

“The trustees will ensure 100% of the funds raised will go solely to benefit of Brayley and Dhyreille Lomu and their offspring,” the statement says.

NZRPA chief executive Rob Nichol said that they had “a reasonable picture of the family’s ongoing financial situation following Jonah’s passing” and knew enough “to realise that the family will not be able to rely on any financial proceeds or ongoing financial benefit”.

“It appears that, because of Jonah’s well-known generosity, he had taken on obligations, financial and otherwise, to support others at the expense of himself, Nadene, and the children,” said Mr Nichol.

“It is also apparent that his 20-year illness and long dialysis sessions, multiple times a week, affected him far more than people realised, including his ability to work and earn the type of money people probably assumed he was capable of earning.”

The global superstar player, who underwent a kidney transplant in 2004 and died aged just 40, was “a humble and private person who chose not to seek help or be a burden on others in sharing his immediate challenges” and “clearly had faith” he would be able to continue working to meet his obligations and to provide for his family.

However, his untimely death put paid to him providing for his boys and in gratitude to the man who “took rugby to the world”, the trust was set up.

The trust is not connected to the Givealittle page Nadene Lomu set up the day after he died.

For details of how to donate, see www.jonahlomulegacy.com