It was in Ash Jones' nature to support other people.
He was friendly and beloved by the wide network of mates he made everywhere from growing up and working in the Hunter to finding his place on a cattle station in the South Australian outback.
When South Newcastle rugby league players run onto the field on Saturday, July 18, four will be wearing an image of a smiling Ash wearing the cowboy hat he became synonymous with.
In a moving tribute at the 16th annual Sleapy's Day fundraiser at Townson Oval, Ash's life will be honoured as one of the 'angels' on the jerseys.
The community event by Newcastle charity Sleapy's Foundation brings people together to assist those facing illness or hardship. At the heart of it is the clash between the South Newcastle Lions and the Maitland Pickers.
Ash tragically had his life cut short in a car crash in South Australia in August last year, just weeks after his 18th birthday.
Newcastle's Richard Jones believes his son would be proud to know his legacy was contributing towards helping others.
"He would think that's pretty special ... it means a lot to our family," he said.
"He supported a lot of people, it was just his nature."
Mr Jones said he, his wife Deb and daughter Averil were proud and honoured to be involved.
Ash knew his heart and went after his dreams, leaving for a job at Williams Cattle Company a Mount Barry when he was 17. He got into steer riding and rodeos. He was adventurous and talented and brave.
"There's so much he could have done - he didn't get into footy, he didn't get into surfing like I did, but that's okay, he found his way, he found his time out in the bush," Mr Jones said.
Mr Jones has a long history with both Sleapy's Day and the South Newcastle Rugby League Football Club.
He was a Souths junior, got a job at the club pulling beers after returning from Sydney for the 1986 season, and went on to win premierships with the club. He has been involved in it his whole life and remains deeply connected.
Souths captain Ryan Glanville will wear one of Ash's memorial jerseys. His father, Knights legend Marc Glanville, shared a year at Saint George with Mr Jones in the 1980s.
As the former long-term chief executive of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, Mr Jones contributed to Sleapy's Day events through the years.
"It's just grown into this monolith ... seeing what they have done for families, and seeing some of the stories, and now to be involved, it's pretty surreal," Mr Jones said.
The angel jerseys will also honour the lives of Grant Rodgers, Mia Carnell and Miriama Purcell.
Mr Rodgers, 50, was a gifted sportsman known for his league success. Ms Carnell, 24, was remembered as "genuine in every sense of the word". Ms Purcell, 67, was described as the heart of her family.
Mr Jones said the loss of Ash had been hard on his family, but it was touching to see Ash on the red jumper.
"The grief never goes away, never, I'm not sure when it will ease, I don't think it ever will," he said.
"It's heart-wrenching, but it's good to know that you can make a difference in this small way, and that's what Sleapy's is about."
Mr Jones encouraged anyone who could, to support the effort by attending on the day or visiting the Sleapy's Foundation website. He has experienced the emotional and financial support first-hand.
Founder Peter Sleap said the continued support for the event had caused it to grow into a community movement.
"It's proof that when people come together, they can make a real difference," he said.
Kick-off will be at noon at Townson Oval on Saturday, July 18, then the event will move to Souths Merewether. Tickets are available online.
Ash's legacy also lives on in other ways. His mother Deb said the family would contribute continuing sponsorship for community events in the South Australian outback, including to increase driver safety.
An Oodnadatta gymkhana with an event named in Ash's memory is being held the same weekend as Sleapy's Day in Newcastle.
Visit www.sleapysfoundation.com.au for more information.
