RFU President raises significant funds for Injured Players Foundation despite late arrival at Twickenham
RFU President Jeff Blackett and his wife Sally finally completed their 150 mile walk for the IPF.
RFU President Jeff Blackett and his wife Sally finally completed their 150 Walk for the Injured Players Foundation (IPF) as local young players held the finishing tape outside Twickenham Stadium.
The 150-mile walk began last year on 22 October at Jeff’s club United Services Portsmouth RFC in Hampshire and was due to finish at the Home of England Rugby, Twickenham Stadium, on 5 November. However, on day 13 they were hit by covid and had to stop, having walked 139 miles but still managed to complete their journey in the end.
Jeff and Sally are raising money for the IPF as part of the RFU’s official 150th Anniversary celebrations, which were also delayed by the pandemic.
The IPF, the RFU’s primary charity provides support to any rugby player who sustains a spinal cord or brain injury while training or playing the game and in addition funds vital injury prevention research to keep everyone safer on the field.
The RFU 150 Walk event has reflected Jeff’s own rugby journey and took in 18 geographic Constituent Bodies (CBs) across the length and breadth of England. The final leg included Chiswick RFC, Richmond FC, St Mary’s University and Harlequins.
The whole event was an opportunity also for the RFU to thank volunteers, in person on their home turf, for their hard work as clubs got back to full contact XV-a-side rugby post-pandemic. Jeff and Sally visited 50 rugby clubs watching adult training and local games as well as age grade sessions. Club representatives joined them en route.
“While a global pandemic was not how we wanted to mark our 150th anniversary, it gave us the opportunity to not only look back at the history but also look to the future of rugby," said Jeff. "It has shown the remarkable work our volunteers have done to keep their clubs and communities going. I visited as many clubs and CBs as possible to thank them – while taking the opportunity to raise much needed funds for the Injured Players Foundation.”
Currently their fundraising has raised more than £35,000 and you can support Jeff, Sally and the IPF by donating through RFU President's 150 Walk.
