Bath Rugby players past and present have launched a £50,000 appeal to boost the work of the Bath Rugby Foundation next year.
David Flatman, Danny Grewcock and Matt Perry have pledged their support to help raise funds and promote the Foundation, which was established in 2003 to work with local children from all backgrounds, improving and developing their life skills and education through sports-related activities.
It plays a vital role in the community working with disabled children, those from disadvantaged backgrounds and young people simply in need of guidance as they experience the difficulties of young adulthood.
Foundation trustee and former Bath and England rugby player Matt Perry, who has been involved with the Foundation for the past four years, said: “The Foundation has made a big difference to thousands of children in Bath and the surrounding area through a series of sports-themed educational activities for a number of years.
“As a charity, it is totally independent of the club and relies on fundraising and grants.
“This year demand for the educational programmes has outstripped our ability to deliver due to a lack of funds. We know there is a real need in Bath for the Foundation and we want to increase our efforts, which is why we have launched this appeal.
“We understand times are hard but even the smallest donation can go a very long way to funding these programmes. Every £5 donated allows us to work with a child, by raising £50,000 we can help 10,000 children.”
Foundation manager and founder Jimmy Deane added: “This year we worked with children in Bath, Wiltshire and North Somerset. Every child matters to us regardless of their background, physical ability or age we have a common aim which is to encourage and show them that they can achieve their goals with some help and if they work hard.
“Like most charities we rely on grants, sponsorship and goodwill to continue our work. By launching an appeal we are hoping to improve understanding about what we do and encourage more individuals and businesses to support us and get involved in our fundraising activities.”
Donations can be made online at www.justgiving.com/brf or by texting BATH12 plus the amount to donate e.g. BATH12 £5 to 70070.
Any business interested in sponsoring the Foundation or funding a programme should contact Jimmy Deane on 01225 325200.
Pictured: Caryl Thomas, Matt Perry, Jimmy Deane, David Flatman and Vicky Heslop of the Bath Rugby Foundation
