THE atmosphere was sombre as 500 spectators and players bowed their heads to remember those lives lost in the Toowoomba and Lockyer Valley floods.

The crowd had gathered to support their rugby league football teams and many stayed on to see the Country and City Police teams clash in an exciting finale.

The event was designed to raise money for flood victims, in particular for four special guests – John Tyson and his sons Chris, Kyle and Blake Rice, who lost two of their family members, Jordan and Donna, in Toowoomba’s flash flooding.

The story of Jordan Rice and his act of heroism – putting his younger brother before himself when emergency crews were rescuing the family – is one that touched many hearts.

Wattles Rugby League Football Club president Barry Glass said there had been a huge level of support to help put the day together.

“We started planning about six weeks ago,” he said.

“We’ve had heaps of helpers, especially from the Queensland Police and the South Magpies junior rugby team.”

Mr Glass said a number of local football clubs had received damage in the floods, including the Kilcoy club, where the water rose over the crossbar of the goal posts.

The Queensland Police Force donated $2000 towards the fundraiser.

The Wattles Rugby League Club, from Clifton, donated a number of signed jerseys to be auctioned off, and Cathay Pacific donated a trip for two to Hong Kong valued at $5000.

All money raised will go to flood victims in Toowoomba and the Lockyer Valley, including the Rice family.