Rugby Clubs help out over festive period
Rugby clubs nationwide rallied around their communities and helped those struggling over the festive period.
The Cornish Pirates
The Championship club created a reverse advent calendar throughout the run up to Christmas, with food donations from club members, sponsors, players and colleagues every day, working in partnership with Growing Links.
They posted every day in the build-up to Christmas with a new donation, which benefited the local community.
Billingham RFC
Billingham RFC in County Durham donated 60 shopping bags of food to Billingham and Stockton Borough food banks to help people in need over Christmas and New Year. Members of the rugby club all chipped in and delivered the donations in four shopping trolleys.
Mike Brown, who has worked at the club for over 30 years, said: "We’re a club for the community and we encourage everyone to help where possible. It’s a difficult time for all but more for some. The community for us are everything. Without it we wouldn’t be the club we are. We have members from far and wide all wanting to help one another.”
Darlington Mowden Park
Darlington Mowden Park held a Salvation Army Christmas present collection at their home game against Cinderford “to make Christmas special for those who may have little or nothing under the tree on Christmas morning.” They teamed up with the Salvation Army as part of their annual Christmas present appeal as Darlington Salvation Army volunteers accepted presents and cash donations to support those who need it most, with new toys for youngsters, as well as food for family food bags.
Swanley Rugby Club
Swanley Rugby Club handed over Christmas presents to Home Start North West Kent who support families with help, advice, support and friendship in Dartford, Gravesham, Swanley and surrounding villages. The club’s members and supporters were glad to “put some magic back into the community for those who would have gone without.”
Best of the rest
Fylde RFC collected and provided presents for the most vulnerable local families with donations being dropped at the Woodlands Memorial Ground.
Durham City RFC asked their members to support those needing a little extra help at this time of year. This saw them taking along a food donation, for the Trussell Trust to help families in need, with seasonal treats welcome along with other long-lasting foods.
The Newbury RFC President’s Christmas Appeal has been bringing food and essential items to the club to support the local community in the lead up to the New Year with cupboard foods redistributed by partner organisations.
Keyworth RFC joined the Great Notts Christmas Toy Appeal collecting new toys and games for children. Donations at the clubhouse were delivered to the charity to raise spirits on Christmas day.
Newton Abbot Rugby Club and its volunteers organised their 2022 Christmas Hamper Appeal to try to help the situation that sees some families choosing between heating and festive period. This followed a campaign in the autumn which saw the club help their local community by offering packed lunches to children who would usually receive free school meals.
