Enfield Ignatians Rugby Club raises four figure sum for the NHS
Posted on 13 April 2020
ENFIELD IGNATIANS RFC has responded to the current Covid-19 pandemic in a big-hearted way by raising £2000 for the National Health Service, writes Jonathan Landi.
The reasons for doing so are tangible and it also reflects the fact that some of the Ignatians’ membership are in the forefront of the current crisis as they work for the emergency services. The club’s youth section coaches set the ball rolling by initially inviting members to sponsor them in return for shaving their heads, as the all-important foundations for the initiative were laid down.
The concept clearly fired the imagination as the club’s third team took up by the baton by producing a promotional video, using the club’s Whatsapp chat forum, entitled ‘The Mighty Threes Supporting the NHS.’ Just as importantly, and despite the name, the video provided the platform for all playing sections of the club to further beat the drum regarding the NHS message, which was further endorsed in the form of a guest appearance from former Scotland international and British Lion Neil Edwards.
The club was by now on a roll and, with Ignatians setting themselves a fund raising deadline of Good Friday (April 10th), pledges from all sections of the club came in thick and fast. Consequently, from the ‘little acorns’ scenario which had unfolded at the beginning of the week, the club managed to successfully raise a four figure sum in the space of five days.
Club Chairman Dave French said: “Everyone involved is adamant that this money is used to support the magnificent work being carried out [by NHS staff] during this difficult pandemic. To this end, we would like the funds to be used to purchase much needed PPE [at Barnet Hospital} equipment that we know is vital in protecting all the front line staff.
“In addition, from the funds raised, a large quantity of treats were purchased, including Easter eggs, chocolate bars and biscuits. These have since been dispatched to staff at Barnet Hospital. “This is brighten their [the staff’s} Easter and to show them how much the work they’re doing is appreciated in the form of a big thank you from all at Enfield Ignatians.”
“We have decided to donate the money to Barnet Hospital on the proviso that the monies be set aside for PEP (Personal Protective equipment), with £75 set aside for goodies, such as Easter Eggs, for staff members. The club is proud to be part of the community and we felt that this was tangible way of upholding rugby’s core values.”
I have today transferred £2,000 to the Barnet Hospital Charities account. Everyone involved is adamant that this money is used to support the magnificent work being carried out during this difficult pandemic and to that end, we would like the funds to be used to purchase the much needed PPE equipment that we know is vital in protecting all the front line staff.
In addition, from the funds raised, a large quantity of treats have been purchased, including Easter eggs, chocolate bars, biscuits etc and they will be delivered directly to staff at Barnet Hospital, to hopefully brighten their Easter and reaffirm to them how much the work they are doing is appreciated.
Please pass on our gratitude to all the staff at Barnet Hospital and again, a big thank you from Enfield Ignatians Rugby Club.
