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8 Apr 2024 | 3 min |

What Erinne was wishing for

Erinne Budd wished to be a Red Roses mascot at Twickenham.

Erinne Budd is six and loves rugby, especially watching the Red Roses. She went to Rugby Tots and then mini training at her dad’s rugby club, Melton Mowbray RFC.  But now it’s important for Erinne, her dad Chris and mum Jenn to make memories as Erinne has been diagnosed with an inoperable terminal brain tumour.

To make sure they can make Erinne smile everyday, her amazing family have set up a JustGiving appeal aiming to a have a fund which they hope will ensure that Erinne can cram as much fun as possible into the time the family has.

When she was at The Home of England Rugby last season, Erinne dreamed of playing rugby for England when she was older and she said she’d love to be out on the pitch singing the anthems with the team and that’s just what she’ll do.

Jenn has taken leave from her job as a technical analyst with Kettleby Foods to care for Erinne full time. Chris, who plays lock for Melton Mowbray, works in the food industry too, as head of technical for Freshcut Foods, Nottingham. Both employers have been hugely supportive and both Jenn and Chris are very grateful.

So too has the rugby family. “My club has been absolutely brilliant,” said Chris. “The lads have donated all their fine money to Erinne’s JustGiving appeal and everyone at the club has been so generous in their offers of support. We are eternally grateful to our amazing rugby family”.

England captain Marlie Packer, who reached 100 caps at the victory over Italy in this Guinness Women’s Six Nations, is Erinne’s favourite player. The match at Twickenham will be special for both Erinne and Marlie who said: “After reading Erinne’s story, it will be an honour to lead the team out with her at Twickenham. As players, playing at Twickenham is always special and I hope Erinne enjoys the experience going onto the field with us.”