Impact Charity Rugby Team ready to battle it out for local Bristol charities
Posted on: 29 Jul 2014Members of the Impact Charity Team are ready to battle it out on Saturday 16th August at charity rugby match in aid of local children’s charities.
Last years inaugural charity match helped to raise £6000 for help the hereos more than fifty players have signed up to take part in this years game to attempt to raise £10000 to split between this years two chosen charities - Jessie May Trust and Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW).
Organised by Bristol Barbarians’ Bob Barnes and Olly Slym, the Impact Day challenge sees 52 participants of differing abilities sign up to a 10-week training programme, before being split into two teams – the purple team for Jessie May and the green team for CHSW - who will go head to head at the special match.
Bob Barnes said: “We are so excited to be hosting the Impact Charity rugby match again this year. Last year we raised thousands for Help for Heroes and this year we have chosen Jessie May and CHSW to hold the event in aid of. They are both fantastic local causes and we’re hoping to raise around £10,000 which will be split between the two.
“The aim of the charity match is to not only raise funds but also introduce people to the fun of Rugby Union. Our recruits are either brand new to the game or have been away from the game for a while but we train them as best we can and I can guarantee spectators will be given a good show on the day!
“The training is intensive but it’s all worth it come August when the players are able to play a match in front of crowds of around 1000 people and see the fruits of their labour.
“Last year our charity participants went up against an established team but due to the level of interest we received, we have adapted this challenge so that the participants will form two teams who play each other.
“We’ve got professional coaches and fitness instructors on board to help with preparation ahead of the game and for the day itself we have planned a fun day for the whole family as well as the match itself.”
Taking place at the Bristol Barbarians RFC in Whitchurch the event will also include live music, a DJ, bouncy castle, face painting, BBQ, hog roast and outdoor bar.
Julian Withers, from Jessie May said: “We are so pleased to have been chosen by the Impact Charity rugby team as one of the official charities for this year’s event. It’s going to be great challenge with the players going through a gruelling training process but the match itself is going to be fantastic and we’re very grateful for any funds generated by the team for both ourselves and Children’s Hospice South West.”
Tamara Downes, from Children’s Hospice South West said: “We are so looking forward to seeing the teams play after all of their hard work training, it will be a really fun day for the whole family, raising very special funds for two amazing local charities. We are so pleased to have been chosen and we would like to encourage everyone to come down on the 16th August and support the event and join in with the fundraising.”
The Jessie May charity was founded in memory of Jessica May who died at home aged 4 1/2 months surrounded by her family and supported by a team of nurses. Her parents created Jessie May to ensure that every child who is not expected to reach adulthood receives nursing care within the home. Since 1996 they have been providing this care, free of charge, in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. More information at www.jessiemay.org.uk.
The Children's Hospice South West have three South West hospices which offer care for children who have illnesses which mean they will die before reaching adulthood.www.chsw.org.uk.
Bob continued: “If it’s anything like last year the atmosphere on the day is going to be electric so I hope lots of people come along to cheer on the purple and green teams and help raise vital funds for two great local charities.”
Tickets to the Impact match day cost £5. Gates open at 12pm and kick-off is 2pm on Saturday 16 August 2014.
For more information or to buy tickets visit www.facebook.com/ImpactBarbarians or call 07881276965
365Bristol are extremely proud to be supporting Impact Barbarians Charity Rugby with both players and coaches from our company taking part. We pass on our thanks to extremely generous sponsors such as Bristol Balloons, The Rummer Hotel, Pranj's Bar and The Adam and Eve Restaurant who have already stepped forward with some awesome prizes for the day.
Companies wishing to get involved please email marketing@365bristol.com and it's the same email for those wishing to purchase tickets for the day or even if you want to buy some raffle tickets.
If you would like to support either of these two wonderful charities please either visit their websites listed above or why not come down to Impact Barbarians Day on the 16th August held at Bristol Barbarians Rugby Club, Norton Lane, Whitchurch, BS14 0BT. Supporters are also welcome up at the club any Monday or Wednesday from 7pm-9pm if you want to see the gruelling training these chaps are going through in preparation for the big day.
Article by:
Born and raised in the suburbs of Swansea, Jimmy moved to Bristol back in 2004 to attend university. Passionate about live music, sport, science and nature, he can usually be found walking his cocker spaniel Baxter at any number of green spots around the city. Call James on 078 9999 3534 or email Editor@365Bristol.com.
