Sport England: Active Together has provided £5,000 of match funding
BOLTON RUFC Covid 19 Relief Fund
Bolton, England, United Kingdom
Aim
Bolton RUFC invites friends and supporters to help improve our facilities for all and to bridge the shortfall created by the Corona Virus.
Who are we
We are a community-based rugby Club in the heart of Bolton. Providing anyone with the opportunity to play and enjoy the game of rugby.
Over the last 30yrs Bolton RUFC, driven solely by volunteers, has never stopped moving forward from the days when two senior teams played on council pitches with post-match socialising in the local pub in the 70’s to where we are now with a thriving rugby club in the heart of a re generation area in Halliwell serving all our diverse communities.
FROM COUNCIL PITCHES
With 3 senior teams and more importantly a large junior section of over 200 members with teams at every age group from U7’s to Senior Colts the Club was thriving.
Not bad for a predominantly footballing town, where little rugby is played in many schools.
What has happened
As you are aware after taking advice from HM Government the RFU cancelled all rugby from the 17th March 2020 due to the Covid 19 pandemic.
Apart from the effect on all the senior, mini and junior players being unable to play the game they love, Bolton RUFC has suffered a big impact financially over the past 4 months.
All those 18th, 21st birthday parties and Christenings due to be held at the Club had to be cancelled. There has been no bar takings and any senior match fees due to cancelled matches have not been paid. All Community use of our Clubhouse was suspended. Our friends running the Community Kitchen, Slimming World, The Pentecostal Church Group, and the ladies rounders team have been unable to use our facilities and we welcome them back as soon as posssible.
Bolton Mets Rugby League team along with Bolton University Ladies and Mens rugby team, Primary and Secondary schools who use our facilities for matches, competitions and tournaments have all been absent.
Our biggest fundraising event the Sportsman Dinner which has raised much sponsorship in the past was also cancelled.
The Club was in safe hands up until March 2020 until the Covid 19 pandemic struck.
TOO OVER 200 JUNIOR MEMBERS
Looking Forward
Together with Crowdfunding we have the opportunity with your help to raise much needed funds to get us through this crisis. We are hoping to raise money through donations and pledges to reach our target.
When we come out of this crisis the local community will need our club more than ever, not only to help provide the essential recreational facilities for our players and supporters but for the many other community based schemes, societies and sports we host. By providing an improved and enhanced environment we can hopefully help improve both physical and mental health and fitness.
What can happen
The campaign has been launched, with a range of rewards and offers available to people who want to donate and includes:- Match day Hospitality, Sponsorship opportunities, Mascot opportunities, a raffle and much more.
With your support today you can help us ensure that we are able to undertake some of the essential work listed below that will allow Bolton RUFC to provide safe and appropriate facilities to support our sporting, recreation and social activities and get ready to start again for the 1st September 2020.
With your help we can do the following
Maintenance and fabrication of existing Fire Escapes
Further pitch improvements and maintenance on Pitch 3
Essential refurbishment of parts of the clubhouse (to include social distance requirements)
Changing room maintenance to cater for the large junior section.
Additional safety measures required resulting from the impact of Covid 19 to ensure the safe participation of visitors, supporters and players alike
Any amount whether small or large will help the Club to offer a great facility to young and old alike in the heart of Bolton. So please if you can donate, you know it will be going to a great community cause.
This project successfully funded on 14th August 2020