Still Winning on the Wirral
Birkenhead Park Rugby Club has added to its fine history by becoming the biggest crowdfunding project to have been part of the Sport England Active Together initiative.
The need to raise vital funds during the coronavirus pandemic has seen an impressive response from the rugby family, with every £1 donated by Sport England seeing £2.08 raised across all projects from the crowd. Birkenhead Park, however, managed to raise a fantastic £6.43 for every £1 from Sport England, no mean achievement!
Birkenhead Park, like the Rugby Football Union, is celebrating its 150th anniversary and has raised an impressive £74,319 via their Crowdfunding Appeal. The Club has been overwhelmed by the support for the appeal through 338 donations not just from current members but also from many past players, friends of the club, local businesses and the community.
Since the start of the pandemic the club has lost over £100,000 from more than 90 cancelled events, so this fundraiser has been vital. They set out seeking survival but are now aiming to create a well-equipped gymnasium and a first class multi-purpose function suite to better serve members and the local community.
Messages of support received have shown just how much the club has meant to many generations over the years. The original target of £25,000 has been tripled, which means the project will go ahead as soon as possible with a view to completion for the start of the 150th celebrations in September.
“We owe it to the generations of former players, including the 75 members who lost their lives during WWI, and all of our current players from minis through to seniors, plus the local community, to deliver a strong and secure future that can be enjoyed for another 150 years,” said Park President John McNally.
“It’s become ever more obvious during the course of 2020 that for community-based clubs like ours, a viable and sustainable future can only be guaranteed by a strong financial base supported by multiple income streams. Our redundant and dilapidated squash court building, as a massively under-utilised asset, is in desperate need of refurbishment and redevelopment.
“We want to remain a thriving part of the Claughton and Birkenhead community for many years to come. By creating a multi-function facility, with disabled toilets and access, we will provide a much-needed addition to this part of the Wirral Peninsula.”
Having over the years provided 11 players for the British & Irish Lions, the club has also received approval to display the new Lions Origin Club logo on playing shirts as part of their 150th celebrations.
