Maddy's March
On 25 March, it is 104 weeks since Maddy Lawrence died from a hospital infection after an injury playing rugby.
Family, friends and teammates were devastated by the loss of a special 20-year-old who loved rugby and believed in teamwork, mutual support and fellowship. The Maddy’s Mark charity was set up in her name in August 2022 and their latest initiative Maddy’s March has been raising awareness of and fundraising for Maddy’s Mark throughout the month of March.
People have been helping to celebrate Maddy’s life. With 104 as a focus, they’ve been running or walking 104 km and kids have been bouncing 104 times on trampolines. One intrepid soul has been completing 104 squats each day, Humber Ionians were walking across the Humber Bridge, while another supporter was swimming 104 lengths every week in March.
Maddy's Mark was established following Maddy’s values and helping young women use them to promote boldness and resilience. The charity promotes rugby “as it is such a special sport for young girls with teams not just accepting but needing so many different body types and characters; it provides a world free of stereotypes and expectations that social media places on youngsters today. It is a place where you belong and where your shape, size, skills, strengths can be celebrated.”
Maddy's Mark wants to offer this opportunity to those who would not normally be exposed to rugby or have the means to participate. In less than two years the charity has partnered with the charity foundations of Bristol Bears, Exeter Chiefs, Bath Rugby, London Irish, Wasps FC, Saracens and Harlequins donating over £55,000 for schools’ programmes which receive high quality rugby coaching and more importantly, sessions promoting good mental health. As part of these schools' programmes, Maddy's Mark also supports festivals in junior clubs to bring these new girls into the game.
Maddy's Mark will continue to help in the South and West but is looking forward to reaching out to new areas and regions. For further details, visit the Maddy's Mark website.
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