Boxing Day 2016 was, as usual, a wonderfully attended day. The atmosphere that surrounds Bridge Road before, during and certainly after the infamous 1st XV v Presidents XV game is magic! It is a family day, where old friends get together to celebrate the festive period and have a good catch up with a drink in hand.

Whilst the match was being played, the sausage rolls being eaten and the beer being guzzled (not to mention Robbie Gray single handedly smashing about 5 pints out of a funnel!) there were volunteers walking around with purple buckets, asking for any donations.

The donations in question were for the charity 'Nelson's Journey'. Nelson's Journey is a Norfolk based charity that supports bereaved children and young people. Based just outside of Norwich, Nelsons Journey offers the facilities to help children either alone or with their families deal with the death of a significant person in their life.

The Charity offers support in an abundance of ways, including clubs, residential days and weekends and one on one support from the specially trained support team. It also offers the opportunity for these young people to meet others in a similar situation to themselves and realise they are not alone. In 2016 alone over 700 children were referred to Nelson's Journey and 565 were able to receive one on one support.

With the generosity of our members donating on Boxing Day Holt RFC managed to raise £300 for Nelsons Journey. This can offer a child or young person the opportunity to attend a residential weekend. This kind of support goes so far when these young people are dealing with such challenging times.

So thank you - to all of you that so kindly donated. It is this generosity and unity that Holt RFC are known for .... and that help these youngsters 'Bring Smiles Back'.

Nelson's Journey