Keswick Rugby Club kick started its Big Build fundraising campaign for a new clubhouse by completing a 24-hour, non-stop touch rugby game last weekend.
Play kicked off at 6pm on the Friday with the under sevens to under 11s age groups starting the challenge. They were then followed by the other youth age groups in stages until 10.30pm when the senior men and women’s teams took over the night shift until 8am.
It was then the job of the old Keswickians to take over, followed again by the youth teams. The final hour of play from 5pm until 6pm on the Saturday was open to all ages with an optional fancy dress theme. Fundraising committee member Lucy King said: “It was so lovely at the end to see people from every single section of the club joining together and having a great time despite the driving rain.
“They were all playing the game they love and really embracing the opportunity to do their bit for the club.”
Over the 24-hour session there were 736 tries scored and 402 players participated with the majority being club members along with some participants from Cockermouth Wasps under 12-16 girls and some of the Ospreys players contributing as well.
A special mention should go out to the Falcons captain Leanne Grave who played for at least 20 minutes of each of the 24 hours. There were also 18 of the senior men’s and women’s teams who played the whole night shift.
Despite the weather all of the participants played with enthusiasm and there was a great atmosphere throughout.
This was rewarded with a constant stream of donations through the gofundme page throughout the 24 hours and plenty of sponsor donations for the players.
Donations were counted just before 6pm on Saturday and the combined money raised through sponsorship, sales of food and uptake on the various donation options meant the club raised just over £8,700 during the event.
More donations have since been given on the gofundme page and further applications for the donation forms have been received by the fundraising team via email and, at the time of going to press, the total was £9,665.
If you would like further information about the club’s donation options please email [email protected] or to make a donation visit https://gofund.me/c1475a4b
