Community clubs show charitable spirit
Kings College Hospital RFC, a founding member of the RFU originally formed by medics from KCH, has maintained strong links with the hospital and is raising money to keep the energy levels of NHS staff up. A weekly delivery of snacks, treats and fresh fruit is showing appreciation for frontline workers’ efforts. A number of current players are working as medics at the hospital and club members, families and friends raised £1000 in a few days. Money is still coming in, allowing delivery of a weekly drop for those risking their lives.
“We are getting donations daily and want to continue, with hospital guidance, providing whatever is needed,” said club captain Tom Lewis. “We’ve had a brilliant response and intend to find ways to show our appreciation beyond the current crisis.”
Blood banks & mental health
Winchester Rugby Club opened their doors to the NHS Blood and Transplant Team with more than 100 donors attending. Further donation sessions are planned.
“At this time of crisis for the NHS, the club wanted to offer its facilities to help the local community,” said club secretary Ben Beavan.
At Richmond an extensive mental wellbeing programme has launched for members, Richmond Heavies Foundation building on the support already available for all players, coaches, staff and their families. Leading industry providers, Care First and Thrive, provide help via an App, online, or by phone. Richmond Rugby Club has also developed a partnership with stem4, who specialise in supporting positive mental health in teenagers.
“This is a natural extension of our policy that player welfare comes first. It’s really pleasing that we will now offer this support to our members,” said Nick Preston, RRL Chairman.
Fun and fundraising
Toilet roll challenges feature for many clubs, Lutterworth RC’s senior men's team video showing the lengths team mates will go to in supporting a friend in need! The video was shared around the club and on Leicester RU county pages to get over 5000 views.
Director of Youth, Josh Johnson, while taking a break from setting Maths lessons for students at home put his creative arts stills to work recreating a much loved 'Only Fools and Horses' sketch, watched by over 4500. The ladies team also created a fun passing the ball video capturing the spirit of the community club while also thanking key-workers within the membership and the wider community. The video received over 26,000 views.
Self-employed members have given free support with health and wellbeing, Becki Morrisey from Lutterworth girls sponsor Barefoot Yoga leading some online video sessions. Natalie Harris, coach at the Market Harborough based Training Shed has also provided home workouts on YouTube. Jones Health and Wellbeing Dan the physio man has been busy too with daily Instagram video workouts and Mike Wright has been guiding members through meditation and mindfulness.
Food Sourcing, packing and deliveries
Droitwich Rugby Club wanted to do their bit for the community, while ensuring they are keeping all volunteers safe. They are supporting Droitwich CVS in working those in need. This includes sourcing, packing and delivering food packs to make five meals for five days.
They were overwhelmed by the number of club volunteers offering support, ranging from senior players, parents of minis and juniors and wider members. In the first week they delivered to 170 people in the community and are expecting around 300 this week. They have also had food donations from: Brookside Butchers, Wychavon Council, Droitwich Spa Council, Bobbys Foods, Waitrose, Bookers and Public Health England.
A simple request by Bingham RUFC’s U7 coach Jeff Coulson for any soft drinks, tea and coffee to go to the staff working at the Queens Medical Centre saw his car filled to capacity within 24 hours.
Wymondham RFC U12s have been promoting a justgiving page for the NHS; Bowdon RUFC had no less than 170 members and players of all ages involved in their pass the ball challenge; Ossett RUFC set up a hardship fund, which already has more than £1,200 to help members in financial need during the pandemic; Worltey Warriors U8s used their artistic skills to post a message saying Stay at Home, Protect the NHS.
Close Shaves
Newbold on Avon have gone all out in the baldness stakes, their Brave the Shave raising an immense amount and approaching the £40,000 target for the NHS Heroes. Their social media says “A massive thank you to all the other clubs who are getting involved in the local area, your support shows how we are all coming together in times of trouble for a fantastic cause. We are determined to keep pushing for more funds; we have lots of players and supporters lined up to brave the shave at various milestones.”
Enfield Ignations have responded to the current Covid-19 crisis by raising £2,000 for the National Health Service, with some of their members in the forefront of the current work for the emergency services. The club’s youth section coaches invited members to sponsor them for shaving their heads. The club’s third team then made a promotional video, using the club’s WhatsApp group, entitled ‘The Mighty Threes Supporting the NHS’. With all playing sections in support, it was endorsed by a guest appearance from former Scotland and British Lion Neil Edwards. A fund raising deadline of Good Friday brought pledges from across the club, raising a four figure sum in the space of five days.
“We decided to donate the money to Barnet Hospital on the proviso that the monies be set aside for PPE and £75 for goodies, such as Easter Eggs, for staff members,” said club chairman Dave French. “The club is proud to be part of the community and we felt that this was a tangible way of upholding rugby’s core values.”
Ellingham & Ringwood have also had some 60 of their men shaving their heads and 20 women and girls facing the ice bath challenge to raise funds for the club, Covid-19 charity and foodbanks.
Phone calls and dog walks
Ashby RFC in Leicestershire teamed up with other local organisations doing everyday shopping and picking up and delivering prescriptions. A call from a carer unable to visit an 85-year-old football fan living alone linked him up with a 21-year-old player who now enjoys daily phone calls which have been helping both through this difficult time.
A partially sighted young man now also has someone to walk his dog with him, one of the vets players wives sharing daily walking responsibilities with another volunteer from the Rotary Club, supporting this young man and his dog to get out into the fresh air.
Ashby RFC is working alongside the local Rotary Club, the 41 club, the local foodbank, Ashby Help the Elderly, Round Table, Holy Trinity church and the Blackford by village support groups as official support by North West Leicestershire District Council.
Videos of balls or toilet rolls flying across gardens continue to prove popular, with the inclusion of skateboards, swivel boards, bikes, trikes, tents, trampolines and dogs by the dozen. Rugby may not be being played but it’s certainly still alive and kicking.
