Firstly, on behalf of the members of Holt RFC thank you very much indeed to club members Freddie Lacey and Sparky Gill for putting their shoulders to the wheel in organising our recent charity lunch, also enjoyed by our match day sponsor Nicholson’s Engineering. We are indebted for their initiative and for making the day such as success. Thanks to everyone who attended and the members of HRFC for their support of the occasion.

The club keeps its responsibilities to the community at its heart, and the nominated charity on this occasion was 4ED - click to learn more.

In July 2022 Gloucester Rugby player Ed Slater announced his diagnosis with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). The 4Ed campaign was created to raise awareness and funds in support of Ed and his family’s battle with the disease. We are delighted to play our small part in lending a helping hand to Ed and his cause and wish him and everyone concerned well for the future.

The pre-Thurston match lunch saw around 170 members and guests superbly well fed and watered. Afterwards we were moved by Harold Gilbert of Thurston RFC, our visiting opposition for the day, who brought the room to an emotional silence as he very eloquently extolled the hugely positive power that the Rugby community can bring to bear when the chips are down. He couldn’t have got the message, or the sentiment of the day, more spot on.

This was followed by an auction where we had some amazing prizes to bid for; it was kindly and brilliantly officiated by David Gould Valuer and Auctioneer. The auction raised in excess of £4000, the highlight being Freddie’s loo rolls which were bought by an incontinent Mr Flather for £500! The raffle earned the charity £500 with a bucket collection raising £645, then with general donations and lunch funds, I am so delighted to tell you that we all raised a magnificent £7000 in total on the day.

A £7000 total donation to 4ED is absolutely marvellous - well done to everyone involved and thank you all.

As a result of the event’s success, we will make a charity lunch an annual event.

Rob Hughes
Hon Club Chair
chair@holtrfc.com
07768 642230