Kerry Orange had never heard of Kotoni Staggs or watched an NRL game in her life before the Broncos star and his fiancee Britt moved in next door. But she’s forever grateful for the continued support he’s shown her family after husband David died suddenly and unexpectedly at just 38.
Only days before Staggs and fiancee Britt moved into their new home in 2023, tragedy had struck the family next door. David Orange was a fit and healthy local business owner, and left behind wife Kerry and seven-month old daughter Eylea when tragedy struck.
In the Orange family’s darkest hour, their next-door neighbour Staggs became a shining light. Speaking to AAP, Kerry Orange has revealed how Staggs and his fiancee often buy the family groceries, drive them around and babysit young Eylea.
Kotoni Staggs and fiancee Britt (L) stepped up for their neighbours in their darkest hour. Image: Getty
Through his generosity and kindness, she has come to think of the Broncos centre as a member of her family. “In the early, fragile days of grief, when even getting through the day felt impossible, Kotoni quietly became a steady and loving presence,” Kerry told AAP.
“Without being asked, he stepped into our lives like an uncle to Eylea, offering support in the gentlest, most selfless ways. He gave both of us something I thought we had lost forever – a sense of peace, moments of comfort and even glimpses of joy in the midst of heartbreak. I will be forever grateful for the love and support he’s given us.”
Kotoni Staggs and partner Britt at the Dally M awards. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Broncos superstar happy to give back
For Staggs, he believes the NRL premiership ring he won on Sunday night is proof that good things happen to good people. The 26-year-old was phenomenal this year and helped Brisbane break a 19-year premiership drought with victory over the Storm in the grand final.
“When somebody needs help and I’m around, and obviously I bump into people like that, I’ll do it straight away,” Staggs told AAP after the Broncos’ 26-22 win. “I’ll go through struggles sometimes but someone else is always going through a bigger struggle than what I am.
“If I can be there for them and put a smile on their face, that’s what I’ll do. I’ll take my shirt off and give it to them. If I had my last hundred dollars, I’d do the same thing. I’m a giver.”
Kotoni Staggs with Broncos teammates after the NRL grand final. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
RELATED:
Kotoni Staggs’ tribute to late grandmother Dawn
Staggs believes his late grandmother Dawn is responsible for instilling his desire to give back to others. The 26-year-old didn’t meet his father until his early 20s, and was estranged from his mother for parts of his childhood.
Dawn Staggs was his guardian growing up in the NSW town of Wellington, and he still wears her name on strapping tape on his wrist during games, as well as displaying a photo of the two of them on his bedside table. “Without my grandmother, I don’t think I’d be walking around here right now. I’d probably be on the streets with no money (or) I’d be locked up,” Staggs said.
“She was my everything and she made sure we had food, we had everything on the table. She did what she did and I turned out to be an all right kid.”
Staggs is now a premiership player after falling agonisingly short in the 2023 decider against Penrith. Good things continue to happen for him, after he earned selection in Kevin Walters’ Kangaroos squad for the upcoming Ashes series against England.
“I love giving back to people and I love helping out people,” he said. “At the end of the day, when you do good things, good things come in return. This (grand final win) is what happens.”
with AAP