Food & Funding from Rugby Family
Whether it’s helping to feed key workers and those who need foodbank support, or fundraising for charities and the NHS, rugby clubs across the country are demonstrating the values of their sport.
Ealing Trailfinders have said a huge thank you to all those who have contributed to feeding people who are suffering during the coronavirus crisis. In May alone there were donations totalling 717kg, helping Ealing food bank to handout over 32 tonnes of supplies.
They are very aware that the food bank’s help is needed more than ever at the moment and are pushing to collect over 1000kg to donate this month. Food banks within this Trust saw an 89% increase in demand in April and that is likely to continue. Financial help is also welcome, one member alone donating £5,000 last month. The next monthly food donation collection is on Wednesday 17th June from 10am - 1pm at Vallis Way.
Charity Support
Recognising the plight of charities in the coronavirus pandemic Old Johnian RFC decided to do 10,000 press-ups as a club and set a target of raising £5,000 for the Princess Alice Hospice.
Press-ups and payments rolled in from around the world including Australia, America and Bermuda. One four-year-old managed 15 press ups, and wives, girlfriends and mums answered the call. The club president did over 1,500 squat jumps as he is recovering from shoulder surgery and one of the players managed hundreds of press-ups with a broken hand. They passed the 20,000 press-up barrier and raised over £5,000, with contributions still coming in (Support Page).
Shirts & Bows Help NHS
Hornsea RUFC’s player, Anna Jebson, who runs a florist and pet shop in the East Yorkshire town featured on BBC Humberside when she raised £6,400 for the NHS charity by making and selling colourful rainbow bows which are gracing porches and front doors around the area.
Wallsend Rugby Club in Tyne and Wear have teamed up with Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and the STINGZ sportswear company to launch a limited edition jersey and raise funds for NHS staff and patients.
In a unique partnership, the logos of the trust and its Bright charity will feature on the club’s official away playing jersey for the forthcoming season. The jersey, together with a training t-shirt and hoodie, are available to buy until the end of June directly from Wallsend RFC’s website.
Bright, the registered charity of Northumbria Healthcare, funds a wide range of health and care initiatives for patients and staff across North Tyneside and Northumberland.
Brenda Longstaff, head of Northumbria Healthcare’s Bright charity, said: “This is an unprecedented time for the NHS and our teams across North Tyneside and Northumberland are working incredibly hard to go above and beyond the call of duty to respond to the increasing demands on our service.
“Communities pulling together to support one another has been a powerful and uplifting part of our response to this pandemic as a country and this is an excellent example of this happening right here. While funds raised will make a massive difference to our patients by improving their experiences of receiving care, and have a positive impact on our staff and volunteers, we hope this partnership will also boost the team on the pitch.”
Duke McIntyre, Chairman of Wallsend RFC, said: “Helping such dedicated, hardworking people like those working on the frontline is a great honour.
“A lot of people are going through tough times at the moment, so to help our brave NHS workers and patients is something we jumped at the chance to support. Hopefully we can raise a lot of money, with every penny of profit from sales going straight to Northumbria’s Bright charity.”
STINGZ co-founder Ernest Stobbs, from Wallsend, who is extremely proud to not only work with his home rugby club, but also help raise money to support vital NHS projects in the north east.
He said: “We wanted a way to show our appreciation for the NHS and everything they are doing for people during these difficult times. To know that the profits raised will stay within North Tyneside and Northumberland and benefit local people, is important to me.
“We have all been touched by the enduring efforts of the NHS workers, putting their lives on the line to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. I think most of us will know someone who has been affected by this disease in some way, and if we can raise some money that can help patients and NHS workers then it is the least we can do to say thank you.”
Through rewarding grassroots volunteers with its Volunteer Recognition Programme, England Rugby’s Performance Partner Mitsubishi Motors in the UK is proud to support and develop rugby volunteers nationwide. To find out more, please visit this page.
