Heinz Big Soup Launch 'Beef, Tomkins & Onion'

Heinz BIG Soup, official partner to the Stobart Super League, has today launched its first ever rugby league themed can in celebration of Wigan Warriors full-back, Sam Tomkins, being crowned Super League 2012 Man of Steel.

Heinz has commissioned 2,012 limited edition cans of ‘Beef, Tomkins & Onion’ which will be priced at £1 per can. All proceeds from the sale of the cans, which are available to purchase today exclusively at the Asda Supercentre on Soho Street in Wigan, will be donated to Joining Jack – a charity which raises money for research into finding a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Each limited edition can is individually numbered and features an image of the rugby league star from the 2012 Super League season. Can number one has already been purchased and signed by Tomkins himself as a present to Jack Johnson – the child who inspired the creation of the Joining Jack charity after he was diagnosed with the currently untreatable muscle-wasting disease, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Sam Tomkins was crowned 2012 Man of Steel last Monday in recognition of his dazzling form for Wigan Warriors this season which saw the club end the regular season as Super League leaders. Decided by a secret ballot of every Super League player, the accolade honours the most outstanding player throughout the season. It is the first time Tomkins has won the award having twice previously won the Young Player of the Year award.

Sam Tomkins, who visited Asda Wigan today to meet shoppers and help launch the new limited edition can, said:

“I met a die-hard Warriors fan last year who told me she’d named her pet dog after me - which I thought was pretty cool - but I never thought I’d ever have my own flavour of soup. Despite the agony of Wigan being knocked out in the play-offs, I’ve been very pleased with the team’s performance this year, so for Heinz BIG Soup to have commemorated my achievements in this way is really special. But as flattering as this gesture is, all this has a serious side. Each can of ‘Beef, Tomkins & Onion’ sold raises vital funds for research into Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. So please make the effort and visit Asda Wigan and buy a can to support this worthy charity.”

Chris Nunn, Senior Brand Manager for Heinz BIG Soup, commented:

“As proud supporters of Super League, Heinz BIG Soup wanted to commemorate Sam’s special achievement this season by commissioning a limited edition can. It’s a win-win idea. Beef, Tomkins & Onion is packed with all the tasty chunks and flavours that you’d expect from a can of Heinz BIG Soup with the added bonus that it supports a very worthy charity close to Sam’s heart. We hope the can proves to be popular with Asda Wigan shoppers and flies off the shelves.”

Simon O’Hara, General Store Manager at Asda Wigan, added:

“With so many Wigan Warriors fans amongst my colleagues, everyone at Asda is delighted to support this event and celebrate Sam’s achievements. It’s great to see so many customers visiting our store today to meet Sam and get behind a great cause and we will be matching Heinz’s donation by also pledging £2,012 to Joining Jack.”