Princess Royal Helps Gloucestershire RFU Thank Volunteers
HRH The Princess Royal, Patron of Gloucestershire Rugby Football Union, congratulated rugby winners at this year’s Awards in Adversity event, recognising those who have gone over and above to support their rugby and wider community during the pandemic.
Eleven volunteers from eight member clubs were invited to an intimate event which complied with covid restrictions. They were at Lockleaze Sports Centre, home of Bristol & District Rugby Football Combination, to celebrate their achievements and receive their awards from The Princess Royal.
Many volunteers have risen to numerous challenges and overcome adversity which meant many nominations had to be considered by the Awards Panel before settling on those who gathered at the event.
Keith Gee, Gloucestershire RFU President said: “All the volunteers expressed complete amazement when they were told they had been selected as an award winner. Why? Simply because they just get on and do it, without expecting any praise or thanks. They have a passion for the game of rugby and are prepared to put themselves out for their club, school, or society if it helps their community”.
Among the award winners was Kevin Mulvaney from St Mary’s Old Boys RFC who said: “It was a fabulous day and meeting HRH The Princess Royal was an honour. The award reflects the team at St Mary’s”.
Luke Savory added: “I am genuinely humbled. I didn’t do this for recognition; it was an activity to keep me from thinking about the fact that my Dad had died. This award is for every person at Chosen Hill FP RFC for holding me and my family up and for helping to raise thousands of pounds for such an amazing cause. There wouldn’t have been a #BicforBob without Bob, so this award is for also my Dad”
The full list of winners recognised on the night:
Luke Savory & Josh Forrester Rodway – Chosen Hill Former Pupils RFC raised over £16k for Cheltenham & Gloucester NHS charity, recognising the excellent care given to Luke’s father Bob, who lost his life to Covid-19.
David Reeves – Cirencester RFC put in endless hours to ensure the club remained in line with all the regulations which constantly evolved as his work contract was terminated due to the pandemic.
Danny Briggs [Fairford RFC] highlighted the importance of mental health and wellbeing inspiring club members to walk over 63,000km, raising money for a former player’s memorial bench as well as mental health charities MIND and Shine Bright (Fairford).
Declan Dunphy – NBRFC as Safeguarding Lead, coordinated the planning and implementation of the various strategies to ensure that the club was covid secure in addition to leading on the club’s commercial activities, keeping the club financially secure.
Jan Bowen, Nick & Lisa Merrick [Old Bristolians Sports Club] led an initiative with over 400 school meals prepared and cooked at the clubhouse and delivered across Bristol, North Somerset, and Somerset.
Charlie Belfour [Old Elizabethans RFC] spent a great deal of time on creative ways to keep all players and non-players actively engaged with the club as well as linking in with local schools, their teachers, and pupils.
