JOHN Singleton was on the Gold Coast last Sunday morning looking for a bargain buy at the fire sale of Nathan Tinkler’s racing empire.

Instead, he ended up paying $50,000 for a rugby league fairytale.

Singo has known old South Sydney warhorse George Piggins for a long time.

PIGGINS TALKS RABBITOHS, RUSSELL AND ATTENDING GAMES

So when I rang and asked for a $50,000 charity donation to get the Rabbitohs’ saviour to the grand final, he didn’t hesitate.

“I really love George and Souths are only there because of him, no-one else,” Singleton said.

“I’ll throw in 50 as long as I don’t have to go with him.”

media_camera John Singleton.

In an interview in the Daily Telegraph last week, Piggins said he would attend the decider if his presence raised $100,000 for charity.

Singleton, the TAB and another Sydney businessman have since pledged $120,000.

“It’s just one of those things that tickled my fancy,” Singleton said, “Getting George out of his lounge chair and out to the footy.

“He is probably saying to himself ‘why did I ever say that’ but just tell him I really hope he enjoys it.”

Piggins says he is amazed that his appearance on game day could raise so much interest and money.

“This is not about me,” he insisted,” It’s about the players, the fans, our great club and all the kids in the street that wear the jersey.

“I’m a Souths person and as long as it’s going to help some poor bugger, I’ll be there.

“No-one fought harder than my wife and myself to try to save that club.”

media_camera George Piggins wearing his South Sydney gear.

He says he is not concerned about the reaction from fans on the night.

“We might run into some billy goat but as long as it’s for a good cause I can put up with that,” he said.

“The main thing is Singo’s a very good friend of mine and I’m glad we’ve been able to raise so much money for good causes,” he said

The TAB was quick to match Singleton’s $50,000 donation to make it happen.

The TAB will donate its $50,000 to OzHarvest, the organisation that collects excess food from commercial outlets and delivers free of charge to 500 charities for vulnerable men, women and children across the country.

“TAB is delighted to be helping such a good cause and donating $50,000 to Oz Harvest,” said CEO David Attenborough

“It will be great to see George Piggins at the grand final to cheer on Souths to their first premiership win in 43 years.”

media_camera George Piggins looks for support during 1971 Grand Final.

Sydney car dealer Steven Nasteski phoned The Daily Telegraph to chip in another $20,000, this time for Sydney Children’s Hospital to get Piggins to ANZ Stadium.

“I just want him to be there,” he said, “I think George and Russell Crowe should be married.

“If it wasn’t for George we wouldn’t have a team and if it wasn’t for Russell we wouldn’t have had the infrastructure and players to even be in the grand final.”

Singleton’s $50,000 will go to the central coast division of the Men of League organisation which is headed by his friends and former footballers Steve Blyth and Don Parish.

“Men of League is a great organisation,” he said.

“Don and Steve are two great blokes who do a terrific job.

“We’ve got George back to the footy and we’re helping out some old footballers.”