WHEN Ballina's Trent Brandon heard a friend's dad was raising money for Biala Special School he called in a fav- our from a mate, Blues captain Paul Gallen.

It only took a phone call to the NSW enforcer and a signed Blues jersey was on its way, so Max Hildrew can raffle it to raise money for a cause close to his heart.

Mr Brandon grew up in the Sydney suburb of Grey

stanes, got to know Mr Gallen through friends and knew of his work for charity.

"I know "Gal" (Paul Gallen) does a lot of work with kids and charities and I thought he would help me out.

"I knew Max had raised money before and since it's State of Origin time I said I could get a jersey through Gal, " he said.

On Monday Mr Brandon got the signed NSW State of Origin jersey in the mail and the quest to raise as much money as possible began.

Mr Hildrew said when he did some concreting at Biala Special School he saw first- hand the incredible work they do with intellectually and physically challenged children.

"The school and staff are in demand and what they do to help the kids is pretty amazing," he said.

"Anything that we raise will be a big benefit to the school as they are always looking for help."

Biala Support Services CEO Wendylee Playford said the organisation was thrilled to hear about the raffle.

"Thinking of Biala Special School as a worthy recipient is fantastic," she said.

Tickets to win the jersey cost $5 each and are for sale at Ballina's Hotel Henry Rous on River St.

The winner of the raffle will be drawn at half time of the third State of Origin match on Wednesday, July 17, at the Hotel Henry Rous.