Guildford Rugby Club’s young players’ challenge supports staff at Royal Surrey

Staff at Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust have benefited from delicious meals and treats during busy shifts, thanks to the support of a local sports club.

Guildford Rugby Club has raised an incredible £6,241 for Royal Surrey County Hospital Charity following its ‘Rugby Stadium Challenge’, which saw 71 under 15s compete to be the quickest to virtually pass a rugby ball from Twickenham to the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, and then run from the Principality Stadium to Murrayfield.

The equivalent distances meant they were set the challenge of passing a rugby ball 145 miles (29,000 x 8-meter passes) and running 398 miles, collectively over a week. However, they smashed the target, passing the ball 169 miles and running 520 miles overall.

Royal Surrey County Hospital Charity is the dedicated charity for Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, which includes the Guildford hospital as well as community hospitals in Milford, Haslemere and Cranleigh. Our Covid-19 emergency appeal was set up to support frontline staff in the fight against Coronavirus. Since launching at the end of March – and thanks to the generosity of the local community – close to £300,000 has been raised.

David Smith, Head of Fundraising for the charity, said:

“Thank you to everyone who took part in such a tough challenge and all who supported – you raised a fantastic amount, which will make a real difference to staff here at the hospital at this difficult time. The players’ dedication and effort is inspiring and is a great example of community coming together to support those who need it most.”

He added: “We have been blown away by the support we’ve received for the appeal, which has meant we’ve been able to ensure staff working busy and long shifts have the option of picking up a hot meal, without the need to wait in long queues at supermarkets. We’re also funding a number of other projects – that will not only benefit staff now, but will continue to promote health and wellbeing in the future.”

Guildford Rugby Club is one of the largest community-based amateur sports clubs in the South East.

Shane Thomas, event organiser and one of the under 15 coaching team for the club, said:

“We have a special group of boys and families that support Guildford Rugby Club – it was fantastic to see them all pull together for such a great cause and to say ‘thank you’ to the NHS staff for all their amazing work.”

To sponsor the team, visit their online sponsorship page.

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Please note: This photo was taken before social distancing rules were implemented.