Support St Marys growing participation for all

by St Mary's RFC in Bristol, South Gloucestershire, United Kingdom

We did it
On 12th October 2023 we successfully raised £23,538 ( + est. £28.00 Gift Aid ) with 107 supporters in 21 days

St Marys need to support our community users from all backgrounds, specifically those challenged by the Cost of Living Crisis and Post Covid

by St Mary's RFC in Bristol, South Gloucestershire, United Kingdom

 New stretch target

Extend our project to include the refurbishment of our floodlights with LEDs.


Who we are?

We are a diverse and inclusive Rugby Club based in Bradley Stoke, Bristol running  

  • Minis and Juniors teams from the age of 6-16 
  • 2 Senior Mens teams
  • A Ladies social team
  • A Touch Union team

We are a Touch Union Centre welcoming players from outside of our Club and we also run a Walking Rugby team for families and Mixed Ability participants.  We are also home to other sporting teams, the Bristol Harps Gaelic Football Club, and 4 Association Football youth teams from Bradley Stoke Youth Football Club. We also run a Skittles team for older members and host Redefine Mentoring at the Club who provide a 1-1 service for children not in mainstream education. 

Why are we running this Crowdfunder?

The impact of the Covid Pandemic has seen a substantial decline in participation across our community, and the worst affected families are our most vulnerable, most disadvantaged and most isolated.  

We have developed a series of programs to identify and help these groups, with the support of schools, Access Sport and the Star Scheme.  We hope to also have the support of the Sport England Active Together fund through this Crowdfunder.

We know the amazing benefits of engaging in sport can bring both physically and more importantly mental well being.

The common challenge for us is financial. These groups require a significant level of commitment by our club including free kit, transport, food, access to training for the volunteers to support them and improvement in our facilities.

Our role in the Community

We are in a challenging area at a difficult time - our area has a low scores. on the Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index meaning there is little disposable income for sporting activities.  We have identified these barriers to participation and therefore aim to provide free food, kit and support with transport for your young people to ensure they are not excluded.

We have a clear vision to become the best Community Rugby Club in Bristol.  This means offering great Rugby, Other Sports and Social opportunities to everyone in our community. We need to improve our facilities to meet the needs of our community users and players.  

What are we trying to achieve?

We aim to continue our engagement and recruitment in the community including:

  • becoming the hub in Bristol for Adult Mixed Ability 15 a side rugby, which offers opportunities for people with a range of disabilities to be able to play alongside fully able players, form new friendships and enhance their mental health and wellbeing.  Working with Access Sport, and IMAS, and engaging with service users from the likes of Mencap and the Alzheimers Society.

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  • Joining the Star Scheme with the support of Bristol Bears.  The Star Scheme through the sport of rugby, aims to make a material difference in the lives of young people who have Adverse Childhood & community Experiences (ACEs), poverty or mental health issues.
  • Working with our local GPs to ensure our offering is known about and available for social prescribing

What support do we need to make this happen?

Our gym is in need of new equipment including free weights, squat racks and up to date benches to enable us to open the facility to community users and not just players.  Having up to date conditioning equipment that is flexible and adaptable is a key requirement for these users. We are working with local Personal Trainers who will offer classes and 1-1 sessions to encourage people from our community with additional needs to get active.  

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We also want to be able to record their games and achievements.  Seeing yourself in action is a great motivator for players of all ages and abilities and we want to raise enough funds so our whole club can benefit from an up to date AI driven video camera and associated subscription.

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Finally we need to upgrade our floodlights before Autumn comes.  Our current floodlights restrict the number of community activities we can host - an upgrade would help us rectify this. We are also using old fashioned lights where the replacement bulbs are expensive and environmentally unfriendly relying on mercury as a source of light.  Any funds we raise over and above the gym, mixed ability and camera requirements can go towards our floodlight upgrade project.  

Moving to LEDs will reduce our carbon footprint, remove harmful old style lamps from the environment and enable more use of our pitches through winter to club and community users.

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Our Track Record with your money

This will be our third Crowdfunder and the first two with your support have been awesome but just to remind you this is what we have already achieved together:

Crowdfunder 1

Our First Crowdfunder saw us raise money to 1) equip our Kitchen with new and up to date equipment 

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and  2)  erect and commission a Tractor Store as part of our long term plan to free up space for more changing facilities in our Clubhouse.

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Crowdfunder 2

Our Second Crowdfunder had 3 objectives: Replace damaged and unusable posts on our Rugby pitch; see below:

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refurbish our kids playground that had become dangerous and overgrown - see results below

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and complete the commissioning of our kit store from a  portakabin without a side. Now our main kit store.

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Crowdfunder 3? 

As you can see above all our previous projects were successfully completed with the help from all of you and our Crowdfunding partner Sport England and you can be sure we will use this Crowdfunder to achieve our new objectives and keep delivering for our Community.

Support, Donations and Rewards:

We understand these are difficult times to be asking for money, so we have created an exciting array of awards, from Money Can't Buy items to items or experiences at heavily discounted prices, from as little as £5.

If you are looking at more than one reward, feel free to donate several times. Many thanks to our kind supporters who have made these incredible rewards possible.

Rewards

This project offers rewards in return for your donation. Please select a reward below.

£240 or more

Vice President Membership for 2023-24 Season

Annual non playing membership plus a donation to the Vice President's Fund which is used to support players through the season.

£5 or more

2 of 20 claimed

Windy’s Christmas Chipotle Hot Sauce

With a deep smoky flavour, uncap Windy’s Chipotle Hot Sauce. The smoothness of rich chipotle peppers are paired with his candlelight peppers and an infusion of signature spices. It’s great when paired with pork, chicken and has been known to liven up the dreariest of Billy’s Tiger Rolls. Uncap Real Flavour™ with Windy’s Chipotle Chilli Sauce. Bottle size 250ml, keep refrigerated, should last up to 3 months

£5 or more

18 of 100 claimed

Club Enamel Pin Badge

A limited edition high quality 2.5cm Hard Enamel St Mary's Pin Badge in White, Gold, Emerald Green and Black

£5 or more

6 of 40 claimed

Mini/Junior/Senior Green and Black Rugby Socks

Coming in black and emerald hoops, these socks not only look good but feel good with elastic sections around the arch of the foot and top of the ankle. Normally retailing at £7, a saving of £2 with the VX3 logo on the ankle of the leg and made from 93% Polyester, 4% Elastane and 3% Rubber.

£5 or more

Hardcopy 6x8 Print of your child in Mary's Kit

A full colour professional print of your child in Mary's Kit with Club, England RFU and Sport England Logos, on official Club Green and Back background. Please enter Child's first name and age group when ordering. Capture the memory of playing forever. A Digital copy will also be included at no extra cost.

£15 or more

0 of 40 claimed

Mini/Junior Shorts 20% Discount + Free Initials

Normally retailing at £19 + £2 for Initials at £15 this is a saving of £6 St Mary's Logo embroidered to left leg as standard. Please let us know what Initials you would like in the additional Whether heading outdoors, playing on the pitch, hitting the gym or simply lounging about inside, comfortably kit your child out in VX-3's Prima Rugby Shorts.

£20 or more

22 of 35 claimed

Supporters Club Pre Match Lunch 14th October

Entry for the Supporter's Club Lunch on the 14th of October for the home game v Bristol Saracens.. A two course meal with complimentary wine.

£20 or more

November Fundraiser Ticket

Your entry to Keith Wilkinson's November young former players reunion. Gets you entry, free first drink and pre match lunch.

£20 or more

0 of 10 claimed

Introduction to wine tasting with Kevin Mulvaney

Ever wanted to know a little bit more about wine, try some new varieties as well as your usual and have more confidence buying wine? Then join us in a fun evening where we will taste 8 wines from Fizz and Whites to some full bodied Reds, with a couple of very special treats, £10 from each ticket will be a donation to supporting Increasing Participation at St Mary's. New Year date of Friday 12th January for the tasting experience.

£25 or more

0 of 2 claimed

Laptop or Computer Help

Have our resident Microsoft and Apple expert and Club Chair Steve Cooke come and help set up your new Laptop or Computer. Steve was a BCS Chartered IT Professional so is sure to have fun getting your new computer to work.

£25 or more

0 of 40 claimed

Mini/Junior All weather training top

SMOB Logo embroidered to left chest is standard. Free Initials normally £2. Please let us know what Initials you would like in the additional comments section. This smock top ensures the wearer stays warm and dry as it’s been made from a tough but lightweight polyester. The soft netted lining ensures there’s no irritation to the skin whilst the breathable mesh allows for ventilation.

£30 or more

Annual Subscription to the 200 Club draw

Each month the 200 Club offers 1st, 2nd and 3rd place cash prizes to the lucky winners of the 200 Club draw. Secure a year's subscription from 1st October 2023

£30 or more

Your own playing number on the 2023 1st XV Shirt

Get your own replica shirt in a comfortable fit. The new 2023 exciting 1st XV Shirt design. Choose your number on the back from your old playing days. What a great Christmas Present.

£49 or more

0 of 10 claimed

Domain Name and Holding Web Page

When it comes to personal or business branding, having your own domain name can be a great resource. Sponsored by our IT partner Mintac. Registering a domain that consists of your first and last, or business name is something worth considering for a bunch of different things. How about an online portfolio to show off your work, a web-space to connect with family around the world, or simply give your kid a head-start by registering their name

£50 or more

0 of 1 claimed

One Month's Membership of Epic Martial Arts Club

Receive personal assessment and personalised development plan to improve your fitness. Take this with you to our newly refurbished gym once we have completed our project.

£65 or more

0 of 1 claimed

Crossfit Gym Henleaze 10 Class Pass

Crossfit Gym Henleaze are offering an £84 pack of 10 classes for only £65 to be used in the next 12 months. They can be either Parent Baby Crossfit, Teens Crossfit, or Never too Old Cross Fit.

£100 or more

0 of 1 claimed

£500 Discount off a scaffolding contract

DLS Scaffolding are offering a £500 discount from their normal price for a project if you pledge £100 towards our Crowdfunder. There is only 1 of these available su be quick!

£250 or more

Sponsor a Player for Individuals

You can sponsor your employee or colleague. Sponsorship covers the player's subs and qualifies them for £50 in rewards on their club card. Your company logo will be incorporated into all team sheet and scoring news associated with your sponsored player.

£300 or more

Sponsor a Player for Corporates

You can sponsor your employee or colleague. Sponsorship covers the player's subs and qualifies them for £50 in rewards on their club card. Your company logo will be incorporated into all team sheet and scoring news associated with your sponsored player.

£1,000 or more

0 of 3 claimed

Gym Refurbishment Key Enablers

Be one of the the lead contributors in our plan to refurbish the gym to open it up to our community and in particular users with additional needs. Have a emoji version of yourself painted on the gym wall by our street artist in recognition of your support.

£1,000 or more

Personal Donation

Make a significant personal contribution to the delivery of our vision and projects.

£1,000 or more

Bronze Sponsorship Package

Have your company logo associated with one of our key deliverables including: Kit for Mixed Ability; AI Video Camera; Floodlighting

£1,200 or more

0 of 1 claimed

Hallen Developments Donation

Key Shirt And Pitchside Board sponsorship year 2 for Hallen Developments £1,000 + VAT

£2,500 or more

0 of 2 claimed

Silver Sponsorship Package

Benefit from Pitch-side and Social Media Advertising for your company, access to International Tickets and invitations to pre match lunches throughout the season.

£10 or more

5 of 5 claimed

A £20 Full English Breakfast Hamper

Get £20 of breakfast goodness for only £10 from our local Food Supplier Peters Foods: 2.27kg best back bacon 2kg Breakfast Sausages 1kg Hash browns A Black pudding.

£28 or more

22 of 22 claimed

Memorial Ticket for Bristol v Leicester

Andy Lathrope has secured a batch of tickets for the Bristol Leicester game on Friday 13th October so we can celebrate Gary's life close to his Birthday.

£150 or more

1 of 1 claimed

Holly Lane Aesthetics Eyebrow Microblading

Normally £220, Microblading is a manual method, semi-permanent, as compared to the traditional hairstroke technique. It is done using a very fine blade to deposit pigments into the epidermis. As we are impacting colour closer to the surface, the strokes appear crisp and very fine. There is no “spilling” under the skin.

£1,200 or more

1 of 1 claimed

Masterplan Year 2 Shirt Sponsorship

Placement of Masterplan Recruitment Logo on all St Mary's Shirts £1,000 + VAT

£2,400 or more

1 of 1 claimed

G-Build 2nd Year Shirt Sponsorship

Second year Shirt Sponsorship for G-Build £2,000 + VAT

£6,000 or more

1 of 1 claimed

Platinum Donation from Sail Group

Second Year of Main Shirt Sponsor for Sail Homes and our Platinum Partner of our upcoming Mixed Ability team. A VAT invoice will be provided ie £5,000 + VAT

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