Clubs’ Nationwide NHS & Community Support
One thing you need in rugby is stamina and clubs across the country are certainly showing it in supporting their members, communities and front line workers during the Coronavirus pandemic.
In Hemel Hempstead, Camelot RFC men’s teams have been collecting for one of the club legends who is an NHS nurse battling Covid-19. They are raising money to get her a bike so that she can cycle to and from Watford General Hospital. Nikita Jackson is loved by everyone at the club and the players want to thank her for her continued work alongside her NHS colleagues.
The club’s click-and-collect service also sees members of the men’s and women’s squads picking up shopping and supplies for vulnerable people confined to their homes. After four weeks’ busy activity, using a centralised helpline to look after people in the local area (people can call or text 07934987240) the club is certainly at the heart of their community.
Scrubs bags & drinks
Beckenham RFC’s women’s team and coaches have been busy making scrubs bags out of kit for NHS staff, while Portsmouth RFC dished out 80 cases of hydration drink to community nurses and staff involved in Patient Transport Services at Queen Alexandra Hospital. Club stalwart Ian Douglas, who works as a community nurse, helped to organise 40 cases being shipped to colleagues working across the region.
Uckfield Rugby Club’s Founding Fathers have made donations to two local charities to help support the community during the pandemic. One, of £300, has been given to Uckfield Coronavirus Outreach Box service, a non-profit organisation which helps over 70s and other vulnerable individuals who need to self-isolate. A similar amount was donated to the Uckfield Foodbank, which has seen a big increase in demand and a drop in donations recently. The Founding Fathers – the charitable arm of the rugby club – support local groups that make a difference to peoples’ lives.
At Coalville, the club is fundraising for the NHS Charity, and work to help combat loneliness for some local housing organisation residents, both during and after the pandemic. They were given a certificate from Leicestershire Cares signed by their Chief Executive in recognition of the club’s outstanding contribution to the local community during the coronavirus pandemic.
Village People
In addition to the £2,000 already raised for Barnet Hospital by Enfield Ignatians RFC, two of their members teamed up with neighbours to raise funds for the NHS with a video. The Bin Boys, including Ignations’ cowboy Harold Pritchard and traffic cop Steve Renny performed YMCA on a Tuesday bin night, reprising the 1970s Village People smash hit, while social distancing.
The video posted on Facebook and YouTube then featured on Good Morning Britain, BBC Breakfast and the Jeremy Vine Show among others, as well as attracting interest from networks in Australia and the USA.
“The original Village People group themselves have been in touch and congratulated us,” said Pritchard. “We had 11 offers from people offering to be our agents before finally signing up to LadBible. We have all raided our wardrobes - and those of our wives - for the costumes.”
The neighbours are part of a social chat group supporting each other in lockdown, the Bin Boys seizing their big moment on 14 April and since morphing into the Spice Girls on 21 April. They are continuing their weekly show to raise further funds for the NHS.
Supporting NHS
Ipswich RFC ball passing video in support of the NHS features club players, staff, youth teams and more, and has been watched more than 15,000 times on Facebook. Henry Gaskin, club vice-chairman said they put it together as the club has many key workers among its membership of more than 1,000.
They have also been offering support by giving supplies of surgical gloves, food and drink to the NHS, as well as offering support to elderly and vulnerable club members to help them stay safe. The club celebrates its 150th anniversary season from September, making it among rugby’s oldest clubs.
The Wymondham Warriors launched their charity fundraiser, with members of the under 13s, their families and coaches completing as many passes as possible and releasing the video of the challenge. Their £1,000 target saw them fundraising for Hospices UK, the umbrella organisation which supports charities including East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices and Priscilla Bacon Lodge.
Peter Graves, who manages the under 13s challenged other age groups at the club to raise money too and put the fun into fundraising. The under 12s team released their own video aiming to raise £850 in aid of the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital charity.
Food where it’s needed
Paviors packed food and drink from the club bar and kitchen into Neil Kendrick’s car to send it where it was most needed. Neil, tipped to take over as club President next season, drove it to the Saint Georges Centre in Netherfield. This community centre has remained open, providing free hot takeaway food on site and a home delivery service to the housebound and isolated. Neil helps make deliveries and is providing vital support in the community.
Said the centre’s Tina Francis: “All at St George's thank the club for their huge donation of food and their great sense of community spirit at this difficult time.Thank you Paviors.”
Bic for Bob Tribute
And Chosen Hill Former Player’s RFC’s ‘Bic for Bob’ head shaving challenge, to recognise the excellent care given to committee member Bob Savory before his death from Coronavirus, has exceeded £14,000. A really meaningful tribute to a great man of rugby.
