Spoonews Spring/Summer 2019

SPOONEWS SPRING/SUMMER 2019

RECORD HIGHS

Charity adventurers conquer two world firsts during expedition to Earth’s highest peak

MEDIA SCRUM

Rugby reporter reveals the reality of life for those writing the sport headlines

WELCOME

I

EXTREME EFFORTS DESERVE HIGH PRAISE

F THIS editorial leader allowed me to be lost for words, I would be. Instead, I have the near impossible task of trying to express my highest admiration – and immense gratitude – to all those prepared to go the proverbial extra mile to help others.

While I know that benevolence can be found in abundance within most charities, few other organisations can boast supporters willing to match the same heights of daring displayed by our own.

Consider the very literal mountain of evidence presented in this issue of Spoonews. Such is the determination to improve the lives of children and young people with disabilities or facing disadvantage, that Wooden Spoon was able to assemble a squad prepared to tackle one of the most inhospitable places on Earth.

Our LMAX Exchange Everest Rugby Challenge (pages 30-35) demanded an incredible physical and mental effort from those who took part. The challengers risked life and limb to raise an amazing amount of money and their endeavours will have a long-lasting impact on those in need across the UK and Ireland.

These peak performers have achieved something quite remarkable, as the World Record Books will soon testify, but that in no way detracts from those who have shown their support for the children’s charity of rugby at much lower altitudes. Indeed, scaling Earth’s highest mountain to play matches would have been a pipe dream had it not been for

the constant support of our corporate sponsors – like TNT (pages 38-39) – and those individuals who dug deep to back our teams in Tibet.

Similarly, those who don our distinct stripes to run marathons, pedal to raise pounds (page 15) or even shed their locks (page 18) are invaluable to our continued success story.

The same is true of our unsung heroes in the regions, our committees and volunteers, our star supporters (page 29) and all those who attend the rich and diverse diary of events Wooden Spoon hosts across the country each year (pages 2223). Every contribution – no matter how big or small – can and does change lives.

A group I seldom mention on this page, but am no less appreciative of, are the team at national office in Fleet. I know firsthand that they routinely go above and beyond to support our supporters and this has been especially true over the past six months.

Continually hitting new heights demands commitment and Wooden Spoon has no shortage or people willing to shoulder the burden. As ever, thank you to all and enjoy the issue.

Sarah Webb Chief Executive Officer Spring/Summer 2019

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“After days of having to deal with one of the world’s harshest environments, we’re looking forward to coming down off the mountain and enjoying the feeling of having broken two world records and raising a lot of money for very worthwhile causes."

– LMAX Exchange Everest Rugby Challenge team captain Tamara Taylor reflects on a peak performance (pages 30-35)

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Spring/Summer 2019

woodenspoon.org.uk

CONTENTS

In this issue...

7 7

9

Kick-off

Features

REVELLERS RAISE FUNDS

30 ON TOP OF THE WORLD

Annual Ball draws a bumper, star-studded crowd

8

9

Everest challengers celebrate record-breaking double

PARKY PACKS THEM IN

36 MEDIA SCRUM

Sir Michael Parkinson draws sell-out crowd for fundraiser

Journalist Robert Kitson on the realities of reporting

SPICY ENCOUNTER

Funded projects

Lee Mears excels at the Scrum Dine With Me pass

Hampshire brewery's rugbythemed tipple brings charity plenty of cheer

42 LIGHTING UP LIVES Sensory equipment brings relaxing aura to hospital

12 RUGBY REMEMBERS Commemorative match marks centenary of the end of the First World War

PUBLISHED BY TYLERBALE COMMUNICATIONS

All rights reserved.

41 COOKING UP A STORM New kitchen puts professional training on the school menu

11 SUP AND SUPPORT

Email: info@tylerbale.co.uk Tel: 01252 714 870 Write: 10 Borelli Yard, Farnham, Surrey GU9 7NU

50 A SAFE PLACE TO SLEEP

44 WONDER WALL Climbing kit provides oasis for Cornwall children

Special cots bring comfort to Middlesbrough centre

51 A TICKET TO RIDE Supporters saddle up to renovate long-running disabled riding school

54 A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITIES Dorking discovery room breaks down boundaries for Surrey schoolchildren

SPOONEWS SPRING/SUMMER 2019

RECORD HIGHS

Charity adventurers conquer two world firsts during expedition to Earth’s highest peak

MEDIA SCRUM

Rugby reporter reveals the reality of life for those writing the sport headlines

ON THE COVER Career high: Wales great Shane Williams prepares for some highaltitude rugby action on Mount Everest's lofty, snowcovered slopes

WOODEN SPOON – THE CHILDREN’S CHARITY OF RUGBY Email: charity@woodenspoon.org.uk Tel: 01252 773 720 Fax: 01252 773 721 Write: Sentinel House, Ancells Business Park, Harvest Crescent, Fleet, Hampshire GU51 2UZ Contact details for our regions can be found online on page 20 and at woodenspoon.org.uk/near-you

Content © Wooden Spoon 2019. Registered address: Sentinel House, Ancells Business Park, Harvest Crescent, Fleet, Hampshire, GU51 2UZ. Charity Registration No 326691 (England & Wales) and SC039247 (Scotland).

Spring/Summer 2019

5

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Kick-off THE LATEST NEWS FROM WOODEN SPOON AND BEYOND

Showtime (clockwise from bottom right): Party-goers were treated to live entertainment; Mark Durden-Smith brought professional polish to proceedings; and TNT delivered the latest instalment of its unwavering support

RUGBY REVELLERS RAISE VITAL FUNDS

W

ORLD record breakersin-waiting were among the 450 guests to raise a glass to – and funds for – Wooden Spoon at this year’s Rugby Ball.

Many of those taking part in the LMAX Exchange Everest Rugby Challenge (pages 30-35) attended the flagship event, which was held at the Hilton on Park Lane, London in February, before heading to Tibet to tackle Earth’s highest mountain.

And although the challengers’ ambitions to take fundraising to unprecedented heights had yet to be realised, there was still plenty for the children’s charity of rugby to celebrate in the capital.

The star-studded event reflected on the many thousands of children and families helped by Wooden Spoon over an incredible 12-month period, which saw 71 projects approved for funding and an additional 139,000 beneficiaries supported.

Belinda Kind, the headteacher of Kobi Nazrul community school in Tower Hamlets, brought the human impact behind these numbers to life by sharing stories of her students’ delight at having a new outdoor “oasis” created by the charity (page 53).

The Rugby Ball also recognised the tireless efforts of Wooden Spoon’s ever-expanding family of volunteers and supporters, and the

contribution of corporate sponsors such as TNT, which has raised more than £4 million to date and presented the children’s charity of rugby with a cheque for £150,000 on the night.

Television presenter Mark Durden-Smith, who is the face of Channel 5’s Premiership Rugby coverage, took on the role of master of ceremonies and guided guests through an evening of live entertainment, which included a raffle, auction and music.

Sarah Webb, Wooden Spoon’s chief executive officer, said: “The funds raised at the Rugby Ball will help to ensure that we can continue to support projects across the UK and Ireland.

“Over the coming years we want to improve the lives of even more children and young people, making sure we get help to those most in need, so your continued support of our fundraising events is truly appreciated.

“Our sincere thanks go to all of the Rugby Ball’s sponsors, our ambassadors for kindly donating prizes and to those who booked tables and joined us to celebrate – the evening would not have been the success it was without you.” ➤ Take a peek at some of the highlights from the evening – and other must-watch videos from the children’s charity of rugby – at youtube.com/WoodenSpoonTV

Spring/Summer 2019

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SAINTLY ACT

C

HILDREN’S charity of rugby supporters who swung into action on the fairway are helping Northampton Saints to introduce young people to a sporting activity of a different kind.

Using money raised at its annual golf day, Wooden Spoon Northamptonshire donated two specialist wheelchairs to the inaugural Premiership Cup winners to help drive the club’s wheelchair rugby initiative. Saints Wheelchair Rugby currently delivers weekly training sessions to adults and juniors and four-week programmes in three special educational needs schools, but hopes extra funding will enable it to extend into six schools.

Connor Fleming, Saints’ head of community, said the new equipment provided by Wooden Spoon would make a huge difference to these efforts, potentially benefiting more than 180 children over a two-year period.

“Saints Wheelchair Rugby has continued to grow from strength-tostrength over the last two years,” he

SPORT FOR ALL Find out how the children’s charity of rugby has helped young people across the country to experience the sport that inspired its creation at woodenspoon. org.uk/getinvolved/ wheelchair-rugby

explained. “Now, thanks to the generous support of Wooden Spoon and their donation of two wheelchairs, we will be able to give more young people the opportunity to get involved in the sport – both through our schools programme and through the Saints Wheelchair Rugby juniors programme.”

Chris Fountain, chairman of Wooden Spoon Northamptonshire, said his region was delighted to be able to support a scheme designed to increase opportunities for people with disabilities to access competitive sport,

and promote social interaction and engagement for isolated members of the local community.

“Disadvantaged children are the winners as two new wheelchairs will help expand wheelchair rugby in Northamptonshire,” he added.

“Wheelchair rugby is a great team sport and gives people who are disadvantaged camaraderie, and benefits their wellbeing and fitness.

“Wooden Spoon is proud to work in partnership with Northampton Saints on this project.”

CHILTERNS

PARKY PACKS THEM IN show legend attracted a crowd of 420 for his “An Evening with…” event, which was held at Reading Town Hall, and featured the national treasure being quizzed by his son, Mike.

Introduced to the full-house by Wooden Spoon Surrey’s Honorary President John Inverdale (page 29), Sir Michael shared stories of his school days in Barnsley, early adult life in a mining community and from his 50year spell as a regular fixture on the television sets of millions.

The evening included clips from some of the proud Want to know more Yorkshireman’s most famous about what Wooden Saturday night exchanges, Spoon Chilterns? including highlights of Contact the regional his appointment-to-view committee at Chilterns@ interviews with James woodenspoon.org.uk

Cagney, Billy Connolly, Michael Caine and Peter Kay. Sarah Webb, Wooden Spoon’s chief executive officer, said: “Sir Michael has never had a problem drawing large audiences and we are incredibly grateful that he and his son did so on behalf of the children’s charity of rugby.

“The evening raised more than £8,000 for Wooden Spoon Chilterns and introduced the work that we do to improve the lives of children and young people with a disability or facing disadvantage to those outside of the rugby family.

“The people of Reading and Berkshire clearly liked what they heard from Sir Michael and about the charity because £780 was donated via a bucket collection on the night.”

➤

➤

INTERVIEWER of the stars Sir Michael Parkinson turned the spotlight on himself to help showcase the work of Wooden Spoon to a wider audience and raise a four-figure sum for the children’s charity of rugby’s Chilterns region.

The TV chat

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Spring/Summer 2019

woodenspoon.org.uk

KICK-OFF

NATIONAL

MEARS’ MENU EDGES SPICY ENCOUNTER

B

EING more accustomed to whipping in a line out ball than whipping up a spicy starter did not prevent Lee Mears from being crowned this year’s Wooden Spoon Scrum Dine With Me champion.

The former England and Bath hooker emerged triumphant from the heat of London’s Cinnamon Kitchen after his stir fry shrimp with curry leaf and black pepper dish wowed diners and impressed judges Martin Williams, founder and CEO of M Restaurants and Gaucho, and celebrity chef Vivek Singh.

However, Olympian Phil Burgess’ impressive performance at the pass ensured Lee’s culinary coronation was far from a formality.

The England Sevens star, who was part of the Great Britain squad that claimed silver at the Rio Olympics in 2016, served up a main befitting his blistering pace on the pitch – a red hot madras, which burnt lips but scored highly.

With the judges unable to separate the top two plates, the foodie fixture, which also featured tandoori chicken kebabs prepared by former Gwent Dragons number eight Ed Jackson and a white chocolate tart created by defending champion Andy Gomarsall, had to be settled in traditional rugby fashion.

The duelling chefs nominated contestants to represent them in a “boat race” and Lee’s thirsty team duly delivered the crown.

More than 150 guests attended

FOODIE FIXTURE: Clockwise from right, Wooden Spoon’s culinary champion Lee Mears; the event’s expert judges Vivek Singh and Martin Williams; and runner-up Phil Burgess gets some last-minute tips ahead of service

the celebrity cook-off, which was compéred

by Sevens supremo Ollie Phillips and raised £20,000 for the children’s charity of rugby.

Commending the efforts of the rugby players-turnedrestaurant chefs, judge Vivek – who as owner of the Cinnamon Kitchen also hosted the event – said: “This year was more competitive than usual and I would do it all over again.”

Juliette Gillard, Wooden Spoon’s director of marketing, communications and community investment, added: “Scrum Dine With Me is a great fundraiser, fantastic fun and over the years we have had the pleasure of sampling some really tasty food.

“Thank you to all those who put

their taste buds on the line this time around and to the event sponsors Nielsen, VMware, Ward Security and technologywithin – the evening would not have been the great success it was without you.” ➤ Wooden Spoon will be serving up a further feast this October. To reserve your place at a table for the special anniversary event, contact Ian Lindsay on 07760 383716 or via ilindsay@ woodenspoon.org.uk

Spring/Summer 2019

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Scrum Dine With Me 10th Anniversary

Tuesday 8th October 2019 Rugby legends and culinary masters will come together this October to celebrate the tenth anniversary year of Wooden Spoon’s unique fundraiser – Scrum Dine With Me!

Reserve your place today Call the events team on 01252 773720 or email Sandy at events@woodenspoon.org.uk

woodenspoon.org.uk/scrum-dine-with-me

Wooden Spoon is a registered charity in England and Wales (Reg No: 326691) and in Scotland (Reg No: SC039247)

KICK-OFF

SUP AND SUPPORT

R

UGBY fans have been known to enjoy a beer or two – and supporters of Wooden Spoon can now benefit the charity while supping their pints thanks to a Hampshire brewery.

Andwell Brewing Company, based near Hook, is donating a portion of the proceeds from sales of its speciallycreated Crouch Hold Engage ale to support the work of the children’s charity of rugby.

Launched last November by England Sevens star Phil Burgess, the rich amber, traditional British bitter has found its way into around 90 shops and bars, with a mouthwatering 13,484 pints sold at the time of going to press.

Andwell’s Adam Komrower said: “It’s great to have Wooden Spoon on board with our Crouch Hold Engage beer.

All of this will help make people more

RAISE A GLASS Keep your eyes peeled for Andwell Brewing’s Crouch Hold Engage and combine two popular pastimes – supporting the children’s charity of rugby and enjoying a pint of British bitter

aware of the beer and the great work that [the charity] does.”

Described as “the perfect accompaniment to the rugby”, Crouch Hold Engage is brewed with a blend of pale ale, brown and crystal malt to provide a gentle, spicy hoppiness.

Ian Lindsay, Wooden Spoon’s Head of Business Development, said the charity is “delighted” to have partnered with the award-winning team at Andwell.

He added: “It will provide us with

a fantastic opportunity to promote awareness of the charity and raise valuable funds to support our upcoming projects.

“Andwell has crafted an enjoyable, scrumptious ale that we think will be very popular.” ➤ Fancy wetting your whistle with Crouch Hold Engage? Contact the brewery on 01256 761044 or email beer@andwells.com

Kingdom club’s charitable contribution WOODEN Spoon’s work might focus principally on the UK and Ireland, but our supporters can be found all over the world – including Saudi Arabia.

The Middle Eastern kingdom is home to Riyadh Vipers RFC, whose junior section recently

raised funds for the children’s charity of rugby through a funfilled festival.

Many players donned Wooden Spoon socks as teams were split into different groups for a day of sporting action.

Riyadh Vipers’ colts took part in

short matches in between touch contests, while the midis – the club’s largest group – had four teams in action.

The Minis were also represented by four sides containing children of different ages.

The tournament’s far-flung

fundraising – which has since encompassed the sale of branded merchandise and an auction for a signed Rory Underwood shirt – will provide a welcome boost for children and young people closer to home with disabilities or facing disadvantage.

Spring/Summer 2019

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NATIONAL

RUGBY REMEMBERS

T

HE sacrifices of rugby players who died for their countries during the First World War were honoured during a commemorative match to mark the centenary of the end of the conflict.

A touring party of veterans from Wooden Spoon headed to France to take on an over-35 side from Compiègne as the finale to a week-long festival of rugby and remembrance.

The match’s venue was particularly significant as it took place in a clearing in the same forest in which the Armistice agreement was signed in 1918.

Representatives of the children’s charity of rugby took to the field wearing specially-designed O’Neil’s commemorative shirts bearing the names of individual players’ relatives who fought and, in some cases, died during the Great War. That was the case for father-and-son tourists Andy and Raymond Daly, as Andy explained: “I was humbled to pull on a shirt that bore the names of my three great grandfathers who all fought, and incredibly luckily, returned from the war.”

The Wooden Spoon team was generously supported by Bridgeshire Packaging, Yes Mortgage Services and Shepherd Neame and it was from the Faversham brewery of the latter firm that the party set off for France.

Led by skipper James Crouch of Chelmsford RFC and supported by Wooden Spoon ambassadors John Taylor and Fergus Slattery, the veterans took part in a series of commemorative events organised by The World Rugby Memorial founder John Dennison.

This included a formal presentation dinner attended by more than 400 guests who exchanged rugby songs – including a poignant solo rendition of The Green Fields of France by Wooden Spoon’s Sean Eley, which since proved the inspiration for a charity Christmas

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Spring/Summer 2019

LEST WE FORGET: Clockwise from top left: Servicemen lay wreaths at Compiègne’s cenotaph; Andy Daly’s grandfather holds the O’Neil’s shirt bearing his father’s name; The two teams come together after the commemorative match in France

single (see Vets’ choir on song for Wooden Spoon, right).

A formal act of remembrance followed at RC Compiègne’s cenotaph, which is inscribed with the names of the 55 members of the club who served and died in the Great War. Wreaths were laid by representatives of the international and home unions, counties, clubs, The Royal British Legion and serving members of the Armed Forces who were among the Wooden Spoon touring party.

RAF Chief Technician Al Blewitt said: “I haven’t enough superlatives to describe

this weekend. It was a memorable occasion, with a class bunch of gents who displayed all the values fitting of the Armistice weekend and of our great sport. Running out for the Wooden Spoon Vets then paying our respects to the fallen was an honour.”

James Crouch added that the tour had highlighted the camaraderie, commitment and kinship that makes rugby so special.

He continued: “It was a true honour to wear the jersey knowing that, even though we were having fun, we were doing this in memory of other rugby

woodenspoon.org.uk

KICK-OFF

VETS’ CHOIR ON SONG FOR WOODEN SPOON A SENSATIONAL solo from Sean Eley during the children’s charity of rugby’s vets team’s remembrance tour inspired the launch of a Christmas charity single.

After Sean’s stirring rendition of The Green Fields of France during a commemorative dinner in Compiègne received a standing ovation, fellow tourist Richard Beevers had the idea of having the song professionally recorded and sold in aid of Wooden Spoon.

Fellow members of the charity’s veterans team – including serving and former military personnel – happily signed up for the venture and created the Wooden Spoon Choir.

The newly-formed group managed and funded the project themselves and, just three weeks after the idea was born, the choir had recorded its debut song.

The single was released digitally ahead of Christmas, with the singers showing off their vocal skills during a live performance on BT Sport’s Rugby Tonight show (pictured below). All of the money raised from sales of the track are supporting the work of Wooden Spoon.

Children’s charity of rugby Ambassador Fergus Slattery, who was on the tour to France and whose own grandfather was

wounded in the country in 1916, said: “The Wooden Spoon Choir are passing on to younger generations the importance of remembrance, but also the tradition of rugby singing which helps to enhance camaraderie across the world.”

Fellow British and Irish Lion, Wooden Spoon Ambassador and tour member John Taylor agreed, adding: “This single captures the essence of the Armistice Tournament and is a poignant reminder that so many Servicemen and women, civilians and ‘rugby men’ gave their lives in the First World War for the world we live in today.”

Quentin Smith, Wooden Spoon’s Chair of Trustees, explained that the charity’s mission to support and transform the lives of children and young people with disabilities and disadvantages across the UK and Ireland is a direct descendant of the Allies’ mission as they fought alongside each other for a better life for generations to come.

He said: “Their sacrifice was immense, both in terms of the huge number of lives lost and casualties, but also for each individual loss.” ➤ You can download The Green Fields of France from online retailers now.

players who had laid down their lives.

“What better tribute than to try to make a difference in the lives of future generations who may not have had the fortunate start as many of us.”

As well as giving those taking part the chance to pay their respects, the Armistice tour helped to raise more than £10,000 for Wooden Spoon. ➤ Wooden Spoon members wishing to be considered for selection for the next Wooden Spoon Vets XV match or tour should email their rugby CV to rugby@woodenspoon.org.uk

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AS SEEN ON

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KICK-OFF

NATIONAL

RUGBYTOTS TAKE ON CROSS-CHANNEL CHALLENGE

I

NTREPID cyclists from children’s rugby franchise Rugbytots are aiming to raise £150,000 for Wooden Spoon by taking to two wheels to ride from London to Paris this summer.

Setting off on June 28, more than 40 fundraisers will settle into their saddles to cover 178 miles in just three days as they make their way from England to the French capital.

The cross-Channel adventure continues Rugbytots’ superb pedalpowered support for the children’s charity of rugby, with previous rides from Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium to Twickenham in 2014 and 2015 raising £100,000 and a gruelling 323-mile route from Land’s End to Twickenham in 2017 contributing a further £150,000.

Speaking of his delight to be continuing his organisation’s fabulous fundraising, Rugbytots founder Max Webb said: “One of the compelling reasons for Rugbytots to partner Wooden Spoon is the fact that our donations will be spent locally.

“This challenging ride is a great way to show our support. We even

get the chance to be involved in the process and have taken part in one-day builds at projects funded

by Rugbytots.”

The money raised by Rugbytots’ charitable cyclists has provided invaluable support and opportunities to scores of young people with disabilities or facing disadvantage, including through the purchase of two horses for the Riding for the Disabled Association and two specialist cots for a baby hospice.

The organisation has also funded playground installations at Surrey’s St Joseph’s School and Kobi Nazrul School in London; an adventure trail at Mayfield School in Devon; a woodland walk at Birmingham’s Calthorpe Academy; and a stateof-the-art sensory room and hydrotherapy pool.

And if the cyclists are successful in reaching their £150,000 goal for the London-to-Paris ride, the money could fund anything from six specialist playgrounds or six rooms in a children’s hospice to 50

BACK IN THE SADDLE: Rugbytots’ charitable cyclists have already ridden from Cardiff – twice – and Land’s End to Twickenham in support of Wooden Spoon

wheelchairs to enable young people to have a go at wheelchair rugby.

Sarah Webb, Wooden Spoon’s CEO, said: “We are delighted that Rugbytots has chosen to support Wooden Spoon and we are very excited to be part of the latest Rugbytots cycle challenge.

“The charity is very grateful for the more than £260,000 raised so far through the partnership.”

Spring/Summer 2019

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NATIONAL

YOUNGSTERS ENJOY HOLY ROMAN OCCASION

A

SPECIAL needs tag rugby team’s players enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual experience when they got to meet the Pope thanks to the help of a Wooden Spoon committee member.

Players from the Barnhall Buffaloes, based in Kildare, Ireland, were heading to Rome to take on Partenope RFC and contacted Seamus Farrelly to see if the Eastern Counties chairman could arrange an audience with Pope Francis.

The children’s charity of rugby’s representative didn’t disappoint and the youngsters headed to The Vatican where, after enjoying an open-top bus tour of Rome, they were presented to His Holiness.

And while the day was memorable for the players, the Pope was left with a rugby-themed reminder of his meeting

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Spring/Summer 2019

WELCOME VISITORS: Barnhall Buffaloes players enjoyed an action-packed friendly against Italian counterparts Artena RFC following their audience with Pope Francis, which saw the religious figurehead presented with a wooden rugby ball, complete with Papal cap, and a ball signed by the team

with the Irish sporting contingent.

Seamus, who attended the reception resplendent in his Wooden Spoon tie, explained: “They were emotionally overcome by the experience and the Pope was presented with a handmade wooden rugby ball with a Papal cap and stand plus a rugby ball signed by the team. The Pope was most taken by the gifts.”

Barnhall Buffaloes’ Papal experience was followed by a trip to Artena RFC, south of Rome, where the team met up with their opponents who had travelled from Naples for the tag rugby match.

The game was filled with “action, effort and bucketloads of

camaraderie” and the players enjoyed a post-match tour of the nearby Italian Rugby Museum, presentations of commemorative shirts and plaques and a dinner complete with welcome speech from the Mayor of Rome.

Seamus concluded: “This was an experience these youngsters will never forget.”

woodenspoon.org.uk

KICK-OFF

SURREY

IRISH EYES SMILE ON SURREY FUNDRAISING

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NTERNATIONAL assistance from the Emerald Isle helped a trio of Wooden Spoon Surrey fundraising events raise more than £16,000 for the children’s charity of rugby.

Ireland and British and Irish Lions legends – and staunch Wooden Spoon supporters – Rob Henderson and Fergus Slattery volunteered their services to add further star appeal to three occasions hosted by the region.

Beginning in November, Rob was the guest speaker at Wooden Spoon Surrey’s ever-popular Rugby Clubs’ Curry Lunch, which was held in the banqueting suite of partner club Old Reigatian RFC. The sell-out afternoon was attended by 160 guests adorned in club or Wooden Spoon blazers and ties, while the region’s Honorary President, John Inverdale, presided over festivities.

Surrey chairman Brian Hodges said: “Rob provided some marvellous

entertainment with his tales of life in the Irish and Lions’ squads and, thanks to the generosity of those in the room, we raised more than £6,000.”

Rob was again quick to help out in March when Wimbledon RFC hosted its first dinner in support of Wooden Spoon. More than 100 club members were joined by staff and first team players from Wimbledon College for the evening, which raised nearly £7,000 for the children’s charity of rugby – including an extremely generous £2,000 donation from Wimbledon College’s rugby touring fund.

Brian continued: “In addition, Paul Volley – a former colleague of Rob’s at Wasps who now coaches at Wimbledon RFC – teamed up with his old chum to regale the audience with insights of what life was like training and playing under the eagle eyes of Warren Gatland, Shaun Edwards and Lawrence Dallaglio.

“Rob’s impromptu midnight coaching

SERIAL SUPPORTER: Rob Henderson (main picture, left) was the guest speaker at Wooden Spoon Surrey’s Curry Lunch at Old Reigatian RFC (pictured inset) and also helped out at Wimbledon RFC’s first dinner in support of the children’s charity of rugby

session on the clubhouse patio for the lads from the College will live long in the memory!”

Surrey’s third Irish-assisted event was its annual Sportsman’s Dinner held in March in the spectacular surroundings of Epsom’s The Royal Automobile Country Club.

The black-tie spectacle, which has been running for more than 20 years, again included John Inverdale as MC and saw Fergus Slattery – who is now chairman of Wooden Spoon Leinster – step up as guest speaker.

Brian added: “Fergus shed some light on the somewhat lacklustre performance of the Irish side in this year’s Six Nations before coming clean on a few of the antics of some of his Irish and Lions’ teammates.

“A further £3,000 was added to Wooden Spoon Surrey’s coffers and Irish eyes were smiling as the evening drew to a close!”

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SCOTLAND

ROSS BRAVES THE SHAVE

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RUGBY player known as the “lock with the locks” has raised more than £2,350 for Wooden Spoon Scotland after swapping his larger-than-life hairstyle for a buzzcut.

Penicuik RFC second-row Ross Mitchell braved the barber to have his distinctive hair chopped off at the Midlothian side’s clubhouse during the halftime break of this year’s Wales v England Six Nations clash.

The 21-year-old’s decision to say goodbye to a style he had sported since his schooldays was vindicated by the £2,354 he has raised to date to fund the work of the children’s charity of rugby.

Ross said that a couple of factors came into play when deciding when to shave his hair for charity – the biggest being him leaving university.

He explained: “I’ve had this hairstyle throughout high school and uni, so it felt like a good place to leave it just before I graduate and start a new chapter in my life. Obviously as I’ve had it such a long time I needed to make something of the occasion.

“So when I decided I was going to shave my hair, I started looking at charities. When I read the background of Wooden Spoon Scotland and the

work done, I instantly knew that it was the right charity – especially given my rugby background.”

Ross’ rugby relationship began when he started playing at the age of five and he represented Penicuik, Dalkeith, Heriots and Lasswade as a youth before going to Heriot-Watt University to study Chemistry.

He returned to Penicuik RFC two years ago as a 19-year-old and has been a fixture in the club’s first XV second row ever since.

And just like the sense of community fostered throughout rugby by Wooden Spoon, it is the sport’s friendliness that has kept Ross involved.

“I always enjoyed the camaraderie.

The laugh you can have after a serious 80 minutes on the pitch, with both your teammates and the other teams, is great.

“There isn’t really any other sport that you can knock lumps out of an opposite number for a full match and then have a beer with them after in the clubhouse!”

Reserving special praise for Penicuik RFC, Tartan Trades, The Wee Bow Company, The Fit Guy, Gravity Bottle Shop and The Old Crown Inn – whose patrons donated £500 into a

A CUT ABOVE Ross Mitchell sports his new look (right) after being shorn of his trademark locks (inset below)

collection bucket – Ross said that he was delighted by the “unbelievable” reaction to his fundraising efforts for Wooden Spoon Scotland.

“The hair has been part of my character for many years, so to have it gone in just a few minutes was slightly surreal – but it is all for a great cause,” he concluded.

“The generosity displayed by people all around me has been staggering and I truly cannot thank everyone who contributed to the day – big or small – enough.

“Thanks to everyone who has been with me in shaving my head and supporting a truly brilliant charity.” ➤ Add to Ross’ total at justgiving. com/fundraising/ross-mitchell7

NATIONS UNITE TO TOAST LONDON REGION ENGLISH and Scottish rugby supporters put their rivalries to one side on the eve of 2019’s Calcutta Cup to enjoy the London Region’s inaugural Six Nations Whisky Tasting Dinner.

Organised by London committee member Emma McClarkin and Chair Rachel Zaltzman, the glittering event at London’s Chesterfield Mayfair Hotel celebrated the best of both nations and raised £5,000 for the children’s charity of rugby just hours before the old adversaries shared the spoils in a thrilling 38-38 draw at Twickenham.

18

Spring/Summer 2019

The evening got underway as guests in lounge suits and Highland dress were welcomed into a champagne reception sponsored by Emma and complete with a performance from the Queen’s piper, Jim Motherwell.

A sumptuous British dinner followed, with each of the three courses paired with a whisky sponsored by the Scotch Whisky Association and selected under the expert guidance of Graeme Littlejohn, the organisation’s director of strategy and communications.

Away from the food and drink, those

present were kept entertained by the evening’s MC, Nick Heath. The rugby commentator moderated a fascinating Q&A session with Scottish star and London Spoon Honorary President Tim Visser and England international Tamara Taylor.

There was even the chance for the assembled rugby fans to walk away with a host of raffle prizes and auction lots – including an England shirt signed by the entire squad – donated by Canterbury, Premiership Rugby and Wooden Spoon Ambassador John Inverdale.

woodenspoon.org.uk

KICK-OFF

LAW FIRM BACKS PARTNER CLUB PROGRAMME

DORSET AND WILTSHIRE

MAGNIFICENT MERGER

W

OODEN Spoon Dorset and Wiltshire, created following the merger of the individual counties’ committees, acknowledges the members’ strong relationship with the Dorset and Wilts RFU. The refreshed regional set-up will see Wooden Spoon working with rugby clubs and community partners to continue a long track record of supporting deserving projects across both counties.

Previous fundraising efforts have generated a £140,000 donation for a therapy pool and sensory room at Christchurch’s Portfield School and £94,600 for an inclusive playground at Fernheath Play Association.

STAR SMILE: Chris Elias (above left), of the NatWest Knutt Club, presents £500 to Wooden Spoon Dorset & Wiltshire Chair Justin Cliff (centre) in support of Royal Wootton Bassett RFC’s Ash Howell’s (right) London Marathon 2019 Campaign

Most recently, Swindon’s Crowdys Hill School – which caters for pupils between the ages of five and 19 with complex needs – benefited from a £14,500 grant towards a new sensory room.

Now up-and-running in its new format, Wooden Spoon Dorset and Wiltshire would like to hear from individuals and organisations interested in getting involved through fundraising, volunteers wanting to join the committee or schools or other projects seeking support. ➤ For more information, visit @charityspoonDW on Twitter or search for Wooden Spoon Dorset and Wiltshire on Facebook.

WOODEN Spoon’s reach into the wider rugby community is set to grow even further thanks to the generous sponsorship of a top law firm.

Irwin Mitchell’s generosity means that, from May 2019, the children’s charity of rugby’s Partnership Club Programme will be renamed the “Wooden Spoon Partnership Club Programme supported by Irwin Mitchell”.

The scheme provides sides from every level of rugby the chance to work with Wooden Spoon to raise money both for their own club and for local projects supporting chlidren with a disability or facing disadvantage.

We pass on our fundraising expertise and resources to help clubs make as much money as possible, with profits made on Wooden Spoon events split equally and spent on local projects.

The Partnership Club Programme already has 84 grassroots clubs enrolled – a number which increases every month – and is estimated to reach 37,000 rugby club members. ➤ For more information about the scheme and how to get your team involved, visit woodenspoon.org.uk/ rugbyclubs

Spring/Summer 2019

19

PROJECTS

FUTURE FUNDING

Since 1983, we have committed in excess of £26 million to 700 projects and our drive to support young people has benefited more than one million lives.

The following schemes, schools and services – approved for funding during the last six months – are set to further swell these numbers...

EDUCATION AND SKILLS TRAINING Ballyclare RFC ballyclarerfc.co.uk Wooden Spoon Ulster Focus Charity focus-charity.co.uk Wooden Spoon Leicestershire

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Wooden Spoon Sussex

In the saddle: Upcoming projects will strengthen Wooden Spoon’s partnership with the Riding for the Disabled Association – a relationship which recently rejuvenated Pakefield Riding School in Norfolk (page 51)

Barking & Dagenham Youth Zone futureyouthzone.org Wooden Spoon Eastern Counties

SPECIALIST EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES Southwark Rugby (Tigers & Lancers) southwarktigers.com Wooden Spoon London

Transform Housing & Support transformhousing.org.uk Wooden Spoon Surrey

Pear Tree Specialist School peartreeblogs.net Wooden Spoon Lancashire

Solent Sharks Wheelchair Rugby Club teamsolent.com/wheelchair-rugby National

Calon RDA northwalesrda.org National

The Milestone School themilestoneschool.co.uk Wooden Spoon Gloucestershire Alderman Knight School aldermanknight.co.uk Wooden Spoon Gloucestershire

PLAYGROUNDS AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Wooden Spoon Manchester & Cheshire John Watson School johnwatsonschool.org Wooden Spoon Oxfordshire

Wooden Spoon Wales Cwmbach Church in Wales Primary School schoolswire.co.uk/public/ cwmbach22 Wooden Spoon Wales

Oakley Primary School oakleyschool.co.uk Wooden Spoon Kent

Include Us includeus.org.uk Wooden Spoon Scotland

Let’s Play Project letsplaybanbury.org Wooden Spoon Oxfordshire

Bedworth Heath Nursery School bedworthheathnurseryschool.com Wooden Spoon Warwickshire

Red Marsh School redmarsh.lancs.sch.uk/ Wooden Spoon Lancashire

Cricket Green School cricketgreen.merton.sch.uk National

Heolddu Comprehensive School heolddu.net Wooden Spoon Wales

Together Trust togethertrust.org.uk

Ysgol Hen Felin ysgolhenfelin.org.uk

Pippa’s Group pippasgroup.org

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Spring/Summer 2019

Ronald McDonald House Manchester rmhc.org.uk/manchester National

SENSORY ROOMS AND GARDENS

Sugarloaf RDA sugarloafrda.org Wooden Spoon Eastern Counties and National Wenlo RDA wenlorda.org Wooden Spoon Leicestershire and National Abingdon RDA rda-abingdon.org.uk Wooden Spoon Oxfordshire and National Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice zoes-place.org.uk National Great Arley School great-arley.lancsngfl.ac.uk Wooden Spoon Lancashire Rutland Sailability

woodenspoon.org.uk

KICK-OFF

rutlandsailability.org.uk Wooden Spoon Leicestershire Works+ worksplus.weebly.com Wooden Spoon Scotland Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity echcharity.org Wooden Spoon Scotland Ravelrig RDA ravelrig-rda.org.uk Wooden Spoon Scotland Northampton Saints RFC northamptonsaints.co.uk Wooden Spoon Northamptonshire Abbey Court School abbeycourt.medway.sch.uk Wooden Spoon Kent Mayfield School mayfield-special.torbay.sch.uk Wooden Spoon Devon Sowenna Appeal Cornwall Partnership Foundation Trust cornwallft.nhs.uk/sowennaappeal Wooden Spoon Cornwall RAF Air Training Corps raf.mod.uk Wooden Spoon Scotland Ocean Youth Trust Scotland oytscotland.org.uk Wooden Spoon Scotland Ponies Help Children ponieshelpchildren.co.uk Wooden Spoon Scotland Treloar College treloar.org.uk Wooden Spoon Hampshire Birmingham Wheelchair Rugby Club Wooden Spoon West Midlands Larkrise/Hampsley RDA larkrisefarm.org.uk Wooden Spoon Dorset and Wiltshire woodenspoon.org.uk/our-grants

WALES

A MILLION REASONS TO CELEBRATE

W

OODEN Spoon Wales found the perfect way to celebrate St David’s Day after donating its millionth pound in support of projects across the country.

The milestone reflects the sterling work of the children’s charity of rugby in Wales, which has seen committee members and supporters pull out all the stops to fund a raft of new facilities for young people with disabilities or facing disadvantage.

The most recent beneficiaries of the Welsh fundraising phenomenons are Aberdare’s Park Lane Special School and Bryn Hafod Primary School in Llanrumney, Cardiff, with both opening projects named with a nod to the national team’s superb 2019 Six Nations performance.

A choir of Park Lane’s pupils provided the entertainment as Wales great and former British and Irish Lion Lee Byrne officially opened the Wooden Spoon Grand Slam Playground in April.

Governors and parents turned out for the occasion, which was also marked by staff preparing celebratory cupcakes emblazoned with the children’s charity of rugby’s logo.

Terry Holmes – another British and

Irish Lion and former Cardiff RFC and Wales great – provided the star appeal at Bryn Hafod School as he unveiled the Wooden Spoon Grand Slam Garden.

The project transformed a drab corner of the playground into an exciting outdoor play and learning area complete with a shelter and allweather surface.

Karen Pitman, of Bryn Hafod’s special resource base, said: “Thanks to the support we received from Wooden Spoon, the children now have access to an all-weather, engaging outside learning area. Previous to this we had a tiny uninspiring concrete space.”

Further positive news for good causes in the country has come courtesy of insurance giant Admiral, which has continued its close link with Wooden Spoon Wales by choosing the charity as one of four recipients of a £100,000 donation as part of its Ministry of Giving initiative. The money will fund at least two projects for children with life-limiting illnesses.

WELSH WONDERS: Lee Byrne opens the Wooden Spoon Grand Slam Playground at Park Lane Special School in Aberdare (main picture); Happy faces at the unveiling of the Wooden Spoon Grand Slam Garden at Bryn Hafod School in Cardiff (inset left); and the Wooden Spoon-themed cup cakes served up at Park Lane (above)

➤ Inspired to get involved with Wooden Spoon Wales? Find out more about the region by visiting woodenspoon.org.uk/region/wales

Spring/Summer 2019

21

COMING UP From golf days to cycle rides, our regions host a huge range of exciting events each year.

Below is a snapshot of dates for your diary – visit woodenspoon.org.uk/events for a full list 1 JUNE Warwickshire Stratford Races warwickshire@woodenspoon.org.uk

2 JUNE Kent Club Together Cycle kent@woodenspoon.org.uk

5 JUNE National London to Paris Bike Ride events@woodenspoon.org.uk

6 JUNE Scotland Edinburgh Golf Day scotland@woodenspoon.org.uk

7 JUNE Gloucestershire Golf Tournament gloucestershire@woodenspoon.org.uk

8 JUNE Ulster Ulster Tag Rugby Festival ulster@woodenspoon.org.uk

9 JUNE Yorkshire Black Sheep Big Spoon Bike Ride yorkshire@woodenspoon.org.uk

13 JUNE Surrey

Surrey Regional Golf Day surrey@woodenspoon.org.uk Sussex Sussex Golf Day sussex@woodenspoon.org.uk

14 JUNE Kent West Kent Golf Day kent@woodenspoon.org.uk

28 JUNE – 1 JULY

12 JULY

National Rugbytots London-to-Paris Bike Ride events@woodenspoon.org.uk

Staffordshire Staffordshire Rugby Union Golf Day staffordshire@woodenspoon.org.uk

29 JUNE

19 JULY

Kent Charity Touch Rugby Festival kent@woodenspoon.org.uk

Kent East Kent Golf Day kent@woodenspoon.org.uk

4 JULY

24 JULY

Gloucestershire Gloucestershire Summer Ball gloucestershire@woodenspoon.org.uk

National Captain’s Fundraiser events@woodenspoon.org.uk

15 JUNE

5 JULY

Leicestershire Open Air Theatre: Cats production leicestershire@woodenspoon.org.uk

Surrey Camberley RFC Annual Club Ball surrey@woodenspoon.org.uk

Cornwall Cornwall Golf Day cornwall@woodenspoon.org.uk

Wales Giro D’Capitale supporting Wooden Spoon wales@woodenspoon.org.uk

Surrey Cranleigh RFC Annual Charity Golf Day surrey@woodenspoon.org.uk

25 JUNE

6 JULY

Nottinghamshire Nottinghamshire Golf Day nottinghamshire@woodenspoon.org.uk

National Trekfest the Beacons events@woodenspoon.org.uk

26 JUNE

11 JULY

Wales Wales Golf Day wales@woodenspoon.org.uk

Guernsey An Evening with Mike Tindall MBE guernsey@woodenspoon.org.uk

9 AUGUST National 3 Peaks Challenge events@woodenspoon.org.uk Eastern Counties Eastern Counties Golf Day and Dinner eastern@woodenspoon.org.uk

11 AUGUST London England v Wales with hospitality london@woodenspoon.org.uk

14 AUGUST Warwickshire Finham Golf Day warwickshire@woodenspoon.org.uk

11 SEP

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Spring/Summer 2019

woodenspoon.org.uk

KICK-OFF

8 OCT 19 AUGUST Warwickshire Maxstoke Golf Day warwickshire@woodenspoon.org.uk

22 AUGUST Scotland Glasgow Pre World Cup Race Night scotland@woodenspoon.org.uk

23 AUGUST National Longest Game of Rugby events@woodenspoon.org.uk Kent Kent Rugby Club Golf Challenge kent@woodenspoon.org.uk

28 AUGUST Leicestershire Open Air Theatre: Cats production leicestershire@woodenspoon.org.uk

31 AUGUST National Trekfest the Peaks events@woodenspoon.org.uk

5 SEPTEMBER Chilterns Shotgun Golf Challenge chilterns@woodenspoon.org.uk Leicestershire

Leicestershire Golf Day leicestershire@woodenspoon.org.uk

Golf Day leicestershire@woodenspoon.org.uk

10 SEPTEMBER

27 SEPTEMBER

Durham Durham Golf Day durham@woodenspoon.org.uk

Shropshire Shropshire Golf Tournament shropshire@woodenspoon.org.uk

11 SEPTEMBER

4 OCTOBER

National Wooden Spoon Regatta events@woodenspoon.org.uk

Hertfordshire Hertfordshire Golf Day hertfordshire@woodenspoon.org.uk

Yorkshire Classic Cars and Conversation yorkshire@woodenspoon.org.uk

Leicestershire Oktoberfest leicestershire@woodenspoon.org.uk

13 SEPTEMBER

8 OCTOBER

Devon Golf Team Challenge Day devon@woodenspoon.org.uk

National Scrum Dine With Me events@woodenspoon.org.uk

20 SEPTEMBER

2 NOVEMBER

Kent Rugby Club Golf Challenge: Final kent@woodenspoon.org.uk

Ulster World Cup Final Breakfast ulster@woodenspoon.org.uk

25 SEPTEMBER

7 NOVEMBER

Sussex Cricket Meets Spoon Lunch sussex@woodenspoon.org.uk

Scotland Edinburgh Dinner scotland@woodenspoon.org.uk

26 SEPTEMBER

15 NOVEMBER

Leicestershire Searchlight Investments Charity

Wales Autumn Lunch

wales@woodenspoon.org.uk Lancashire Annual Luncheon lancashire@woodenspoon.org.uk

22 NOVEMBER Surrey Rugby Clubs’ Curry Lunch surrey@woodenspoon.org.uk Merseyside Annual Sporting Lunch merseyside@woodenspoon.org.uk

5 DECEMBER Devon Exeter Chiefs Foundation & Devon Christmas Lunch at Sandy Park devon@woodenspoon.org.uk

6 DECEMBER Warwickshire Christmas Lunch warwickshire@woodenspoon.org.uk

11 DECEMBER Sussex Christmas Lunch on Brighton Pier sussex@woodenspoon.org.uk

7 MAY 2020 National Vets Dunkirk 80 & VE Day 75 Tour events@woodenspoon.org.uk

Spring/Summer 2019

23

NEAR YOU

REGIONAL REACH

Want to join our growing squad? Contact your nearest neighbour below and make a difference to the lives of children in your own community...

BEDFORDSHIRE

GLOUCESTERSHIRE

LONDON

STAFFORDSHIRE

Chairman: Oliver Richbell bedfordshire@woodenspoon.org.uk

Chairman: Rob York gloucestershire@woodenspoon.org.uk

Chairwoman: Rachel Zaltzman london@woodenspoon.org.uk

Chairman: Trevor Jenkins staffordshire@woodenspoon.org.uk

woodenspoon.org.uk/bedfordshire

woodenspoon.org.uk/gloucestershire

woodenspoon.org.uk/london

woodenspoon.org.uk/staffordshire

BRISTOL & BATH

GUERNSEY

MANCHESTER & CHESHIRE

SURREY

Chairman: Vacant regions@woodenspoon.org.uk

Chairwoman: Karen Solway guernsey@woodenspoon.org.uk

Chairman: Roger Smith manchester@woodenspoon.org.uk

Chairman: Brian Hodges surrey@woodenspoon.org.uk

woodenspoon.org.uk/bristol-bath

woodenspoon.org.uk/guernsey

woodenspoon.org.uk/manchester-cheshire

woodenspoon.org.uk/surrey

CHILTERNS

HAMPSHIRE

MERSEYSIDE

SUSSEX

Chairman: Ray Hague chilterns@woodenspoon.org.uk

Chairman: Tony Wilkin hampshire@woodenspoon.org.uk

Chairman: Stan Bagshaw merseyside@woodenspoon.org.uk

Chairman: Sandy Fleming sussex@woodenspoon.org.uk

woodenspoon.org.uk/chilterns

woodenspoon.org.uk/hampshire

woodenspoon.org.uk/merseyside

woodenspoon.org.uk/sussex

CORNWALL

HERTFORDSHIRE

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

ULSTER

Chairman: Alan Milliner cornwall@woodenspoon.org.uk

Chairman: John Batters hertfordshire@woodenspoon.org.uk

Chairman: Chris Fountain northampton@woodenspoon.org.uk

Chairman: Peter Wood ulster@woodenspoon.org.uk

woodenspoon.org.uk/cornwall

woodenspoon.org.uk/hertfordshire

woodenspoon.org.uk/northamptonshire

woodenspoon.org.uk/ulster

CUMBRIA

ISLE OF MAN

NORTHUMBERLAND

WALES

Chairman: John Cunningham cumbria@woodenspoon.org.uk

Chairman: Allan Thompson isleofman@woodenspoon.org.uk

Chairman: Anthony Stoker northumberland@woodenspoon.org.uk

Chairman: Huw Thomas wales@woodenspoon.org.uk

woodenspoon.org.uk/cumbria

woodenspoon.org.uk/isle-of-man

woodenspoon.org.uk/northumberland

woodenspoon.org.uk/wales

DEVON

JERSEY

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE

WARWICKSHIRE

Chairman: Roger Haywood devon@woodenspoon.org.uk

Chairman: Roger Trower jersey@woodenspoon.org.uk

Chairwoman: Diane Orson nottingham@woodenspoon.org.uk

Chairman: Ian Holroyd warwickshire@woodenspoon.org.uk

woodenspoon.org.uk/devon

woodenspoon.org.uk/jersey

woodenspoon.org.uk/nottinghamshire

woodenspoon.org.uk/warwickshire

DORSET & WILTSHIRE

KENT

OXFORDSHIRE

WEST MIDLANDS

Chairman: Justin Cliff dorsetandwilts@woodenspoon.org.uk

Chairman: Richard Russ kent@woodenspoon.org.uk

Chairman: Will Deeley oxfordshire@woodenspoon.org.uk

Chairman: Vacant regions@woodenspoon.org.uk

woodenspoon.org.uk/dorset-wiltshire

woodenspoon.org.uk/kent

woodenspoon.org.uk/oxfordshire

woodenspoon.org.uk/west-midlands

DURHAM

LANCASHIRE

SCOTLAND

WORCESTERSHIRE

Chairman: Paul Tully durham@woodenspoon.org.uk

Chairman: Martin Long lancashire@woodenspoon.org.uk

Chairman: Charlie Bryden scotland@woodenspoon.org.uk

Chairman: John Gibson worcester@woodenspoon.org.uk

woodenspoon.org.uk/durham

woodenspoon.org.uk/lancashire

woodenspoon.org.uk/scotland

woodenspoon.org.uk/worcestershire

EASTERN COUNTIES

LEICESTERSHIRE

SHROPSHIRE

YORKSHIRE

Chairman: Séamus Farrelly eastern@woodenspoon.org.uk

Chairman: Malcolm Foulkes-Arnold leicester@woodenspoon.org.uk

Chairman: Glyn Dobbs shropshire@woodenspoon.org.uk

Chairman: Stuart Watson yorkshire@woodenspoon.org.uk

woodenspoon.org.uk/eastern-counties

woodenspoon.org.uk/leicestershire

woodenspoon.org.uk/shropshire

woodenspoon.org.uk/yorkshire

ESSEX

LEINSTER

SOMERSET

Chairman: Matt Mitchell (interim) essex@woodenspoon.org.uk

Chairman: Fergus Slattery leinster@woodenspoon.org.uk

Chairman: David Reed somerset@woodenspoon.org.uk

woodenspoon.org.uk/essex

woodenspoon.org.uk/leinster

woodenspoon.org.uk/somerset

24

Spring/Summer 2019

Nowhere near you? If you would like to represent the children’s charity of rugby in your area, please contact regions@woodenspoon.org.uk

woodenspoon.org.uk

KICK-OFF

WOODEN SPOON’S RUGBY ROYALTY

T

WO of Wooden Spoon’s greatest champions and the biggest names in world rugby received Royal recognition when they appeared on the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list for 2019.

Willie John McBride, the mostcapped British and Irish Lions player of all time, now boasts the initials CBE after his surname, while former England skipper Bill Beaumont added “Sir” to his title with a knighthood.

The pair were both decorated for their services to rugby.

Irish great Willie received his honour from the head of the Royal family during a ceremony at Buckingham Palace in February – a

return fixture which the honorary president of Wooden Spoon Ulster was thrilled to fulfil.

“The Queen gave me an MBE 47 years ago and it is just brilliant to be back again,” said the 78-year-old, who is also vice president of Riding for the Disabled, after collecting his award.

The former second-row forward described himself as being “very fortunate to have played in an era when there were some wonderful players around”.

A peer of the likes of Barry John, Mike Gibson, Phil Bennett, JJ Williams and Gareth Edwards, Willie won 63 caps for Ireland, including 11 as skipper before hanging up his boots in 1975.

He was a Lions tourist on five occasions and played in a record 17 Tests – eight more than the closest current player, Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones.

An inaugural inductee into the International Rugby Hall of Fame, he helped the Lions to victory over the All Blacks in 1971, captained them on an unbeaten South Africa tour three years later and managed the side during the 1983 New Zealand tour.

Sir Bill Beaumont, honorary president of Wooden Spoon Lancashire (page 48), was knighted for his major contributions to the growth and betterment of rugby as a player and captain with Fylde, Lancashire,

PALACE PALS: Rugby and charity greats Willie John McBride (above) and Bill Beaumont (left) have both received Royal recognition

England and the British and Irish Lions.

The knighthood also recognises his time as RFU chairman, during which he presided over the 2015 World Cup, and current tenure as chairman of World Rugby, a role that has seen him drive governance reform and oversee record participation and fan growth.

“I am humbled and honoured to have received this accolade, but for me, I have always viewed my work in the sport as a passion and a vocation, doing the very best that I can for everyone involved in the sport from grassroots clubs to the elite game,” said the legendary lock, who skippered England to an unexpected Grand Slam in 1980. “The knighthood is as much recognition for everyone who gives their all to this great sport as it is me.”

ESSEX

RECRUITS REQUIRED FOR RELAUNCHED REGION GOOD causes across Essex have reason to celebrate following the relaunch of the county’s Wooden Spoon region.

Headed up by interim chair Matt Mitchell, the children’s charity of rugby’s Essex committee comprises an enthusiastic

team of volunteers dedicated to helping young people with disabilities or facing disadvantage.

Southend RFC and Rochford RFC are already on board as Partner Rugby Clubs, with others being recruited – and the region is already

putting together plans for a number of events in 2019 and beyond. ➤ If you would like to get involved, email essex@woodenspoon.org.uk or search for “WoodenSpoonEssex” on Facebook.

Spring/Summer 2019

25

STAUNCH SUPPORTERS REMEMBERED

W

OODEN Spoon is mourning the loss of three committed supporters – Fred Hucker, David Matthews and Gib Hancock – who each played a starring role in championing the children’s charity of rugby.

Fred (80), who passed away earlier this year, was one of Wooden Spoon’s founding members and served as a trustee for two decades. His support of the charity he helped to create and nurture endured throughout his life, and he was among the full house at Sir Michael Parkinson’s recent “An Evening with…” event (page 8).

As the brains behind Wooden Spoon’s distinct colours and striped tie, Fred’s legacy will be familiar to all those who come into contact with the charity.

Firm friend and fellow founder Peter Scott said the former Managing Director of Bell Lines Ltd was instrumental in establishing Wooden Spoon as a force for good and it was his business connections that began its success story.

“It was a group of Fred’s Irish contacts who presented us with a small wooden spoon, which was the catalyst for the birth of the charity,” explained Peter, recalling the events of an evening in Dublin following Ireland’s victory over England in the 1983 Five Nations Championship.

“The five of us on that trip agreed to play a round of golf to decide which of us would own this trophy.

“It was also agreed that we would invite others along and more than 100 players eventually took part in the event at Farnham Golf Club.

“When Fred, who was not a golfer, heard what we were doing, he decided we should have a special tie for the event and designed and had made 10 of the ties that are now well known.

“Amazingly, around £8,500 was raised that day and almost all present wanted a Wooden Spoon tie.

“The success of that event, coupled with the tie, heralded the birth of Wooden Spoon.”

Fred’s benevolent nature extended to

26

Spring/Summer 2019

GAME CHANGER Fred C Hucker, Co-founder and Vice President of Wooden Spoon, with his wife Jacinta

a number of other charitable interests, including the Irish Youth Foundation.

A talented chorister and music lover who performed at the Royal Albert Hall, he is survived by wife Jacinta and children Jane, Andrew and Anthony.

David, who died from cancer at the age of 71, was a member of Wooden Spoon Merseyside’s committee and, for the past six years, had excelled as the region’s press secretary. A former top-flight rugby referee, he was a true sports lover and was a member of Lancashire County Cricket Club and an Everton season ticket holder.

David was a successful international rugby union referee from 1992 to 1994 and featured on the RFU List for two decades, before combining local refereeing and assistant referee duties in the Premiership and Championship.

He also served as a Television Match Official from 2001 until 2012.

A popular PE schoolmaster before his retirement a decade ago, David was a long serving honorary life member of Liverpool St Helens.

The club’s president, Ray French, said: “We have all been immensely proud of his achievements as a referee and in particular with the high regard in which he has been held throughout the game. His calm, logical and

considered manner and his empathy with the players in the game made him very special.

“Above all though, he was a friend to many at Liverpool St Helens and we will all miss him.”

Merseyside chairman Stan Bagshaw said David would be sorely missed by all in the region and described him as “a genuine human being” who “never complained about his illness”.

David’s wife Helen said grace at the annual Merseyside Lunch last November – an act her husband had long performed.

Law graduate and Royal Navy veteran Gib (83) served on Wooden Spoon Chilterns’ committee for more than two decades.

His imaginative approach to fundraising inspired a series of successful events and helped to generate thousands of pounds in support of those in need in the region.

Gib began the Chilterns Carol Cruise, which remains hugely popular, and used his military network to arrange a charity dinner aboard HMS Victory and at the Greenwich Naval College.

Wooden Spoon co-founder Nigel Timson described Gib as “a very fine man who was hugely liked and very committed to Wooden Spoon.”

woodenspoon.org.uk

KICK-OFF

DEVON

DEVON’S DYNAMIC DOUBLE ACT

E

NGLAND stars Jack Nowell and Henry Slade were the guests of honour as Wooden Spoon Partner Club Plymouth Albion RFC hosted a fundraising evening in support of the children’s charity of rugby’s Devon region.

A packed audience of 250 were present to hear the Exeter Chiefs backs discuss their rapid rise through the rugby ranks and their experiences during England’s autumn internationals.

The event, which was a first for Wooden Spoon Devon and reflected the region’s strong links with Plymouth Albion and South West Rugby, raised £5,397 for the charity.

Kevin Norris, Plymouth Albion RFC Director and committee member of Wooden Spoon Devon, said: “The evening was a joint effort which we hoped may be a success. To say it went way beyond what we could have hoped

STAR CAST Find out more abour Wooden Spoon’s work in the West Country at woodenspoon. org.uk/devon

would be a massive understatement!

Thank you to the committee and Plymouth Albion for their hard work and to all who attended for their support and generosity. Wooden Spoon could not succeed without you.”

Jack and Henry’s presence in Plymouth was fitting as both men began their rugby journeys in the region, playing for the evening’s host club before earning professional

contracts with the Chiefs.

Audience members were given an insight into the gruelling nature of games at club and country level and the physical attributes required to be a top player in the modern era and were able to quiz the pair in a Q&A session.

The duo also posed for photographs before an auction was held to help Wooden Spoon Devon raise the fantastic four-figure sum.

KENT

INTERNATIONAL EXPOSURE HOW WE’VE MADE A BIG DIFFERENCE DID you know that, thanks to your tireless endeavours and generosity, we were able to support 71 community projects in 2017/18? Or that Wooden Spoon helped in excess of 139,000 children and young people during the same period?

We’ve published an Impact Report to shine a spotlight on this success. To find out how you help to make a big difference visit woodenspoon.org.uk/ publications

WOODEN Spoon’s first Wheelchair Rugby League partner club The Argonauts can now boast two internationals among their ranks.

Lewis King and James Hazel (pictured left and right respectively) have been selected

by England head coach Mark Roughsedge for a 14-player national performance squad.

The group, which is dominated

by Leeds Rhinos and Halifax players, will star in a series of soon-to-be-announced Test matches and has been assembled to contest this year’s European Championships in France and the World Cup in England in 2021.

Based in Dartford, The Argonauts have flourished

since being presented with ten specialist wheelchairs worth around £11,000 by Wooden Spoon Kent.

The ongoing relationship has also seen the side raise more

than £400 for the region. ➤ Find out more about our support of young athletes with a disability at woodenspoon.org. uk/wheelchair-rugby

Spring/Summer 2019

27

SUSSEX

SPORTING GREATS SUPPORT SUSSEX SUCCESS

W

HAT links Olympic champion athlete Sally Gunnell, England internationals Joe Marler and Rob Andrew, World Cup winner Andy Gomarsall and Sevens captain Ollie Phillips?

The connection between the stellar set of sportspeople is Wooden Spoon – and specifically the children’s charity of rugby’s Sussex region.

Each of the big names has opened a Wooden Spoon-funded project in a special school around the county, highlighting the impressive achievements of a region punching well above its weight.

Since its formation in 2006, the Sussex committee has worked tirelessly to raise more than £450,000 in support of projects in its local communities, with many of the beneficiaries being schools serving

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Spring/Summer 2019

BIG-NAME BACKING: Andy Gomarsall (main picture), Sally Gunnell and Joe Marler are among the sporting legends to have opened projects funded

by Wooden Spoon Sussex

children and young people with a disability or facing disadvantage.

Wooden Spoon Sussex’s 207 members had been involved in 26 projects by the end of 2018, with their geographic reach spreading from St Anthony’s School in Chichester in the west to the Fellowship of St Nicholas in Hastings in the east; from Brighton and Hove’s Sussex Sailability in the south, through Woodlands Mead School in Burgess Hill to Manor Green School in Crawley in the north.

The sensory rooms, gardens, adapted playgrounds and specialist equipment provided to the region’s schools and centres have been made possible by tireless fundraising efforts involving the whole community.

Rugby clubs have held raffles, collections and tournaments,

runners have taken on half and full marathons and greyhound and horse racing events have brought in further funds.

Wooden Spoon Sussex has also hosted its own fundraisers, including the annual “When Cricket Meets Wood Spoon” lunch at Sussex County Cricket ground and a Christmas meal on Brighton Pier.

One-off events have added further contributions to the cause, including a share of £14,000 raised when committee member Richard Tibbott and friends completed the 800km Camino Walk in 2017. ➤ The friendly Sussex region will be continuing its outstanding work in the future and is always on the lookout for people to help with fundraising.

Find out how you can get involved at woodenspoon.org.uk/near-you

woodenspoon.org.uk

FEATURE

PRIME-TIME PRESIDENT

BBC broadcaster John Inverdale tells Spoonews why he is only too happy to be among the many famous faces who support the children’s charity of rugby

H

AVING been an enduring fixture on British television screens and radio airwaves for nearly three decades, it is no surprise that there is a reassuring familiarity about John Inverdale.

A peak of 8.9 million viewers watched him front the BBC’s coverage of Wales’ historic Six Nations victory over England earlier this year and the experienced broadcaster regularly guides audiences through the action at Olympic Games and the Wimbledon tennis championships.

However, such is his commitment to the children’s charity of rugby, the 60-year-old presenter is also instantly recognisable to those rare breed of Wooden Spoon supporters with no interest in sport.

As the long-standing Honorary President of Wooden Spoon Surrey, John appears at project openings and events (page 8) almost as frequently as he fronts live rugby broadcasts and is delighted to be a “victim” of the success of his regional committee.

Dismissing the demands on his diary, the journalist told Spoonews: “I think if you are going to do something, you might as well do it properly. The Surrey branch of Wooden Spoon is very active and a consequence of that activity is that a significant amount of money is raised and spent on projects, so in turn there is going to be more projects to open.

“I am so cognisant of the fantastic work done

by Brian Hodges [chairman] and others in the region that I feel I’d be letting them down if every time they rang me up to ask for help, I said ‘no sorry’.

John, who described Wooden Spoon’s “clear directive” as an “easy sell” to the rugby community, added: “It is a fantastic organisation and I’m not just saying that. Every time you open a project, you realise how instantly the lives of people are improved.

“That’s why you keep doing it – special schools, for example, are often crying out for sometimes the simplest of things and through a golf day or dinner we are able to provide these for them.”

Of his day job, John insists he remains equally enthusiastic about covering live sport and that doing so is always great fun despite the pressures of performing in front of millions.

“When it comes to big games like Wales v England you are very conscious – but if you

thought of broadcasting in terms of numbers, I don’t think you’d ever turn up,” he added.

“One of the best bits of advice I was given was to broadcast as though you are talking to your mum because if she gets it, everyone will.

“I always think and talk to one person and if nine million others join in, well that’s fine, but I’m still effectively broadcasting to one.

“You are always thinking that you’ve got to do a decent job and every time you make a mistake, which you always do, you get angry because you are striving for that perfect programme. It’s often said on set that the day we do a perfect programme we will all retire – and we’re still doing the job.”

With retirement therefore off the cards, few are better placed than John to provide Spoonews readers with an insight into the possible fortunes of the home nations at this year’s Rugby World Cup. Fresh from seeing Saracens beat Leinster 2010 to become European champions at St James’ Park in Newcastle, the Englishman was buoyed by his nation’s chances.

“Having watched Billy Vunipola be five men in one in that match, I think a fit Billy is perhaps the difference between England winning the World Cup and maybe not getting beyond the quarter finals,” he said.

“He is just immense, he really is. You look at the England team and think they surely, surely are semi-finalists and who knows what happens after that.”

The Wooden Spoon stalwart said Grand Slam winners Wales can also have a say in the fate of rugby’s greatest prize.

“There is something about Warren Gatland, who I respect so much, and that Welsh set-up at

the moment,” John added. “I would love them to have won in 2011 and maybe that was the opportunity that went begging, but we could have an England v Wales quarter final and that will be interesting to say the least!”

Of Gregor Townend’s men, he said: “I would love Scotland’s style of play to be the modus operandi of everybody at the World Cup. If every team could play like that, what a stunning spectacle the tournament would be.

“However, you always feel that if Scotland score two tries there is the potential for them to ship two tries as well. Major tournaments, be it football or rugby, are won by defences and not attacks and that would be my concern for Scotland.”

How All-Blacks’ conquerors Ireland will fare in Japan is harder to call, according to John.

“They have some hugely outstanding players, like the Sextons, who have had a dip in form,” he said. “If they find themselves on a ladder as opposed to a snake though, Ireland can be considered as very serious contenders again.”

And John’s pick of the rest? The consummate commentator concluded: “I have a funny feeling the Springboks will do well. If I was going to have a bet, it would be on South Africa as a ‘value bet’. However, I’ve been a horse racing fan for 50 years and I’ve still not worked out that a 6/4 winner is better than a 20/1 loser, so I maybe talking nonsense!”

Rugby World Cup 2019™, Japan Your Wooden Spoon guide supported by Gullivers Sports Travel

POOL A

POOL C

POOL B

POOL D

Ireland Scotland Japan Russia Samoa

New Zealand South Africa Italy Namibia Canada

England France Argentina USA Tonga

Australia Wales Georgia Fiji Uruguay

Fri 20 Sept – 19:45

Sat 21 Sept – 18:45

Sat 21 Sept – 16:15

Sat 21 Sept – 13:45

Japan

New Zealand

Russia

Italy

Scotland

Italy

Samoa

South Africa

Ireland

New Zealand

Samoa

South Africa

Russia

Japan

New Zealand

Samoa

South Africa

Russia

New Zealand

Samoa

Namibia

Ireland

QUARTER-FINAL 1

Italy

England France Argentina

WINNER POOL B

SEMI-FINAL 1 Sat 26 Oct – 17:00

WINNER QF1

WINNER QF2

Tonga

Georgia

Italy

England

Australia

USA

Argentina

Georgia

Tonga

Australia

BRONZE FINAL Fri 01 Nov – 18:00

RUNNER UP SF1

RUNNER UP SF1

Fiji Uruguay

Wed 09 Oct – 18:45

USA

Wales

Fiji

Fri 11 Oct – 19:15

France

Australia

Georgia

Sun 13 Oct – 17:15

Tonga

Wales

QUARTER-FINAL 3 WINNER POOL D

Wales

Sat 05 Oct – 14:15

Uruguay

QUARTER-FINAL 4

Sun 20 Oct – 16:15

RUNNER UP POOL A

Uruguay

Thurs 03 Oct – 14:15

Sun 13 Oct – 14:45

Canada

Uruguay

Sun 29 Sept – 16:45

USA

Sat 12 Oct – 17:15

Sat 19 Oct – 19:15

RUNNER UP POOL D

Fiji

Sun 29 Sept – 14:15

Wed 09 Oct – 13:45

Canada

Georgia

Wed 25 Sept – 14:15

Sun 06 Oct – 16:45

Namibia

Fiji

Mon 23 Sept – 19:15

Wales

USA

Sat 05 Oct – 17:00

QUARTER-FINAL 2

Sat 19 Oct – 16:15

WINNER POOL C

France

Sun 13 Oct – 12:15

Sun 13 Oct – 19:45

Japan

Australia

Tonga

Wed 02 Oct – 16:45

Canada

Sat 12 Oct – 13:45

Sat 12 Oct – 19:45

Ireland

Argentina

Tues 08 Oct – 19:15

Wed 09 Oct – 16:15

Scotland

Namibia

Sun 06 Oct – 13:45

Sat 05 Oct – 19:30

Argentina

Sat 28 Sept – 13:45

Fri 04 Oct – 18:45

Thurs 03 Oct – 19:15

Ireland

England

Wed 02 Oct – 19:15

Mon 30 Sept – 19:15

Scotland

England

Thurs 26 Sept – 19:45

Canada

Sat 28 Sept – 18:45

Sat 28 Sept – 16:15

Japan

France

Sun 22 Sept – 19:15

Namibia

Thurs 26 Sept – 16:45

Tues 24 Sept – 19:15

Russia

South Africa

Sun 22 Sept – 14:15

Sun 22 Sept – 16:45

Ireland

Sun 20 Oct – 19:15

RUNNER UP POOL C

WINNER POOL A

RUNNER UP POOL B

SEMI-FINAL 2 Sun 27 Oct – 18:00

WINNER QF3

WINNER QF4

THE FINAL Sat 26 Oct – 17:00 WINNER SF1

WINNER SF2

#helpingkidsthroughrugby

woodenspoon.org.uk The Rugby World Cup 2019 logo TM © Rugby World Cup Limited 2015. All rights reserved.

Wooden Spoon is a registered charity in England and Wales (Reg No: 326691) and in Scotland (Reg No: SC039247)

➤ Keep track of the drama in the Land of the Rising Sun with your Wooden Spoon guide – supported by Gullivers Sport Travel – to the Rugby World Cup 2019TM, Japan (included in this issue of Spoonews).

Spring/Summer 2019

29

ON TOP OF THE WORLD Wooden Spoon challengers revel in taking rugby and fundraising to new heights

30

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woodenspoon.org.uk

FEATURE

W

OODEN Spoon supporters have taken their fundraising to amazing new heights after tackling Mount Everest to set two world records for the highest games of rugby ever played.

Battling oxygen deprivation and altitude sickness to participate in the LMAX Exchange Everest Rugby Challenge, the intrepid players trekked to Everest Base Camp at 5,119m above sea level to play history’s highest game of touch rugby in the shadow of Earth’s tallest mountain.

And the group topped their previous achievement just five days later when they ascended to Everest Advanced Base Camp at 6,331m to complete the highest-ever game of full-contact sevens rugby.

The inspirational achievements have helped raise almost £300,000 towards the children’s charity of rugby’s mission to

positively transform the lives of children and young people with disabilities or facing disadvantage across the UK and Ireland.

Sarah Webb, chief executive officer of Wooden Spoon, said: “What our challengers have achieved is beyond words.

“While two world records is a fantastic return for their efforts, the real rewards for what they have done will be felt for many years to come. Our experience of supporting life-changing projects tells us that the money raised can help to have a positive impact on the lives of around 36,000 children and young people.

“They have surpassed our original target of £200,000 – a sum of money we know can do remarkable things such as fund 10 sensory rooms; pay for 66 Riding for the Disabled Association horses; buy 40 specilalised chairs

for wheelchair rugby or sponsor 100 young people through the HITZ programme.”

Challengers from across the rugby community formed the record-setting touring party to the roof of world – including a host of stars who have previously scaled the game’s professional heights.

Spring/Summer 2019

31

“It was very, very tough. If you ran during the match it took 10 minutes to recover. I can’t praise the challengers enough, they all dug deep, worked as a team and brought such energy to the game, in such inhospitable circumstances.”

England legends Lee Mears, Tamara Taylor and Ollie Phillips and Wales great Shane Williams were among those who arrived into Base Camp on April 20, allowing five days of acclimatisation before their first record attempt. The group completed a series of preparatory treks to higher altitudes to get their bodies used to the climate and reduced oxygen level, which sits around 50 per cent below that at sea level.

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Spring/Summer 2019

Speaking after the second training trek from Base Camp, participant Huw Lougher said: “What is clear is that if anyone was doubting how much of a challenge this was going to be, they are not any more.

“The combination of the altitude, which is making a lot of people feel below par, the lack of sleep – or the poor quality sleep in pretty extreme conditions – and also a few bugs going around camp is meaning most aren’t

feeling great, but despite this the spirit in the team is still good.”

The day of the touch rugby record saw the challengers split into two squads captained by a star duo – Team Taylor-Phillips and Team Mears-Williams – with Wooden Spoon Rugby Manager Matt Mitchell refereeing.

Huw Lougher opened the scoring for Team Taylor-Phillips at the Everest end of the pitch, before Williams rolled back the years to equalise at the Base Camp end shortly after. A further pair of tries left the match level at 2-2 at half-time. The second of these scores was claimed by Jess Cheeseman, who gathered a lofty Williams pass and evaded the

woodenspoon.org.uk

FEATURE

“The energy has been tremendous, with everyone rallying together to spur each other on and, even though we’re exhausted, we’re buzzing at the achievement.”

opposition’s defence before grounding the ball.

The second half saw Phillips put his side ahead, but a last-gasp dash from Mears brought the game’s sixth try and the sides settled for a 3-3 draw, with Lesley Davies named MVP by all four captains in what was her first game of rugby.

Mears said: “It was very, very tough. If you ran during the match it took 10 minutes to recover. I can’t praise the challengers enough, they all dug deep, worked as a team and brought such energy to the game, in such inhospitable circumstances. I have played some big games in stadiums all over the world, but what a setting it was for a rugby match.”

Taylor added: “It was so much fun.

Everybody was worried about how hard it would be, but it was a really quick game with some great rugby played. Ollie Phillips of course got competitive, but we all pulled together in our teams and it was fantastic to have a bit of healthy competition.”

If touch rugby at Base Camp was difficult, the challengers’ second record attempt was certainly not for the faint-of-heart.

Ascending first to an intermediate camp the day after the touch game before proceeding to Advanced Base Camp 24 hours later, the squads began to suffer from the effects of operating at altitude, with four challengers, Lee Mears and deputy team leader Jay O’Malley having to be medically evacuated and Jay ending up in hospital in Kathmandu.

Recalling the journey to the site of their second record attempt, challenger Simon Wright said that the trek between Intermediate and Advanced Base Camp was his toughest moment.

“The terrain was incredibly taxing as we went over and through the glacier with ice

Spring/Summer 2019

33

regularly underfoot, although the scenery was at times stunning,” he said.

Fellow participant Matt Franklin described the whole experience as “much tougher” than he had envisaged, adding: “The lack of oxygen and sleep deprivation really took its toll physically and emotionally. Playing rugby at high altitude was totally brutal and really took its toll. The group really rallied round one another to keep morale and belief high under extremely challenging circumstances.”

After arriving at Advanced Base Camp, the group had a final rest day before marking out the full-size pitch – complete with flags and makeshift posts as required by Guinness World Records – on the Rongbuk Glacier on April 29 and then lining up on April 30 to take part in the historic game of sevens.

Refereed by Tamara Taylor, Team Williams squared up to Team Phillips, and it was the latter side’s captain who combined with

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Spring/Summer 2019

former Northampton Saint Arthur Prestidge to score the game’s first try.

Shane Williams defied oxygen levels of just 40 per cent with a terrific turn of pace and trysaving tackle to keep his team within touching distance and he was rewarded in the second half when Robin Callaway pounced on a loose ball to level the scores.

With both conversions missing the mark and the assembled players gasping for air, Taylor blew for full-time as the LMAX Exchange Everest Rugby Challenge claimed its second World Record of the week with a 5-5 draw.

Williams said: “In arguably the world’s most spectacular setting for a rugby match, but also the most inhospitable conditions, the game was incredibly tough.

“If you ran during the match it took 10 minutes to recover. That said, everyone put in 100 per cent and there was some great rugby played. I can’t praise the team enough.”

Referee Taylor added: “The time spent at this altitude has taken its toll on all of us but the group summoned a second wind to play the game.

“The energy has been tremendous, with everyone rallying together to spur each other on and, even though we’re exhausted, we’re buzzing at the achievement.

“After days of having to deal with one of the world’s harshest environments, we’re looking forward to coming down off the mountain and enjoying the feeling of having broken two world records and raising a lot of money for very worthwhile causes.” ➤ If you would like to add to the challengers’ fantastic fundraising, visit woodenspoon. org.uk/donate or text EVEREST5 to 70085 to donate £5.

For more information about the challenge, visit everestrugby.org.uk

woodenspoon.org.uk

FEATURE

THE MIGHT BEHIND THE MOUNTAINOUS CHALLENGE

While playing at extreme altitude demanded a lot from our record-breaking teams, a ball would not have been thrown on Everest had it not been for the invaluable support of the companies featured on this page. A mountain of thanks to them for turning our fundraising dream into a mountain of money to support children and young people with a disability or facing disadvantage...

TITLE SPONSOR

lmax.com

OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS

coxauto.co.uk

vmware.com

hcahealthcare.co.uk

opromouthguards.com

oneills.com

gilbertrugby.com

roctechnologies.com

wearecitycise.co.uk

MEDIA PARTNERS

agencybrazil.com

world.rugby

Spring/Summer 2019

35

Friends in high places: Robert Kitson on stage with Johnny Sexton at the 2019 Rugby Union Writers’ dinner, during which funds were raised for Wooden Spoon

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Spring/Summer 2019

woodenspoon.org.uk

THE VIEW FROM THE PRESS BOX Guardian journalist Robert Kitson shares some of the secrets of those who put pen to paper to bring us the latest news from the world of rugby...

C

ONFESSING to being a sportswriter usually prompts three questions from strangers at drinks parties. “Did you play rugby yourself?” they will ask, staring in disbelief at your less-than-honed physique. Yes, but nobody noticed.

“So what do you do the rest of the week?”. Within seconds of saying hello, it is already apparent they do not read a daily newspaper.

After a short pause it is time for the final flourish. “Tell me, which paper do you write for?”. A sixth sense tells you they are not – as yet – Guardian subscribers.

“Ah, the Grauniad! Is it still based in Manchester?”.

At this point, it saves time to head for the sanctuary of the bar or pretend you are actually an accountant. Sometimes I fantasise about telling people I work in the porn industry, just for a little more professional respect.

Only joking, obviously.

Following top-class sport around the world at someone else’s expense is not the worst way to make a living. To have done so since the 1980s is, clearly, outrageously fortunate.

While the glamour is not always instantly apparent as you watch Sale and Worcester crush each other to a pulp on a dark, cold winter’s night, it pays to remember there are far tougher jobs out there.

Just occasionally, though, you earn your money. Have you ever considered the circumstances under which the

“Following top-class sport around the world at someone else’s expense is not the worst way to make a living.

To have done so since the 1980s is, clearly, outrageously fortunate.” match reports you idly scroll through on your phone are actually written? Take England’s Six Nations game against Scotland at Twickenham this season.

After half an hour, England were leading 31-0 and those of us required to file on the whistle to satisfy Sunday paper deadlines duly started tapping away. “At least we’re still better than you at cricket,” sighed my mournful Scottish neighbour as he typed his tartan obituary.

Around 40 minutes later, with Scotland leading 38-31 entering the closing moments, it was a very different story in every sense. Never have you seen so many white knuckles attached to petrified fingers. Then England scored again and – hey presto – the match was drawn.

Aaarrgh! To anyone who bought a first edition of the Observer on that particular Sunday morning, I can only apologise.

But what do you do the rest of the week?

Clearly this varies from hack to hack but I enjoyed the line tweeted by the Times’ Elizabeth Ammon the other day: “Journalism is a lifestyle, not a job.”

At any given moment, the phone could ring with someone requesting 800 words “as quick as you can” about a subject of which you were previously unaware. This week I jumped in the car and drove for six hours, interspersed by 40 minutes of two England rugby players talking into a tape recorder. Along the way someone called with a tip-off about a player’s contractual status, which happily proved correct.

A weekly column needs to be filed every

Monday, while my sports desk also wanted a few words from Bristol’s head coach plus a longer piece on Leicester for Saturday’s paper.

Compared to a Test week, this constitutes a relatively low-key few days. Whenever someone complains about “lazy journalism” they are probably not aware quite how “lazy” some of my insanely dedicated colleagues actually are.

Take the British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand in 2017. Because of the time difference and evening kick-offs, it was normal to be filing copy at 4am. In addition to a live report for immediate online consumption, a more considered version will be required for the printed paper along with news updates and key talking points, all while packing your bag for an early morning airport dash. The internet is wonderful, but it also has much to answer for.

The web has certainly revolutionised sports writing. Everyone is an eye witness now, which means the story never sleeps. Rugby is entering an exciting new era, too; later this year the Rugby World Cup will be staged in Asia for the first time, potentially introducing the game to millions of new fans.

Anyone who saw the wonderful Fijian men and the inspiring Australian women winning gold at the Rio Olympics in 2016 will know just how far the sport has travelled and, potentially, still has to go.

Fitting every twist and turn into a few pithy paragraphs keeps the brain active, although history may prove that the heyday of hard copy newspapers has come and gone.

Either way, next time you attend a sporting event, check out the press box and see if you can spot the blood, sweat and tears on the keyboards of those hammering out their breathless first drafts. Then, if you like, nip out the morning after and buy a paper to help keep the next generation of ashen-faced freelancers off the streets.

Journalists may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but you will miss us when we’re gone. ➤ The author is chairman of the Rugby Union Writers’ Club, whose nominated charity this year is Wooden Spoon. To find out more about nominating us as your charity of the year visit woodenspoon.org.uk/corporate-support

Spring/Summer 2019

37

PROJECT OPENINGS

OPEN FOR BUSINESS

We make a difference to young lives across the United Kingdom and Ireland, the following pages will take you on a tour of our recent success stories...

WOODEN SPOON (NATIONAL)

WOODEN SPOON SCOTLAND

Great Oaks School St Joseph’s Specialist School & College

Action for Children Lisilanna Queen Margaret University

WOODEN SPOON NORTHUMBERLAND Sir Charles Parsons School

WOODEN SPOON ULSTER Parkview School

WOODEN SPOON LANCASHIRE Morecambe Road School (page 48)

WOODEN SPOON MERSEYSIDE Mill Green School

WOODEN SPOON YORKSHIRE Broomfield South SILC Highbury School (pictured) Ravenscliffe High School and Sports College (page 41)

WOODEN SPOON WARWICKSHIRE University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire Charity

WOODEN SPOON WALES Autism Life Centre CIC Bryn Hafod Primary School Heolddu Comprehensive School Park Lane Special School

WOODEN SPOON GLOUCESTERSHIRE Cotswold RDA

WOODEN SPOON CHILTERNS Stony Dean School

WOODEN SPOON SURREY Action for Children Pastens Cranleigh RDA St John’s C of E Primary School (page 54)

WOODEN SPOON KENT Threshers Nursery

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Spring/Summer 2019

WOODEN SPOON EASTERN COUNTIES Barking & Dagenham Youth Zone Churchill Park School (pictured) The Wherry School

woodenspoon.org.uk

FUNDED PROJECT

COOKING UP A STORM

New kitchen puts professional training on the menu for Yorkshire school students

U

WHO Wooden Spoon Yorkshire

WHERE Ravenscliffe High School, Halifax

WHAT Wooden Spoon Training Kitchen

HOW MUCH? £19,526

THEY SAID “It will provide an environment where people from Calderdale and West Yorkshire, young and old, those with specialist needs and those without, can access a quality and bespoke learning environment in the centre of Halifax.”

xx

P-AND-COMING chefs at a Halifax school have a brand new place to hone their skills after the opening of the Wooden Spoon Training Kitchen.

Young people at Ravenscliffe High School and Sports College were joined by chef James Mackenzie for the opening of the facility, which was funded by a grant from the children’s charity of rugby’s Yorkshire region.

Attached to Ravenscliffe’s working Spring Hall Cafe, the kitchen allows older pupils who show an aptitude for catering to gain invaluable professional experience alongside dedicated staff, potentially helping them to break into paid employment after leaving school.

James Mackenzie, proprietor of Beverley’s The Pipe and Glass Inn, cut the ribbon to open the kitchen before giving pupils a culinary masterclass.

Members of Wooden Spoon Yorkshire were also on hand as the kitchen wizard shared his secrets on everything from whipping up a risotto to producing the perfect poached egg.

Speaking at the opening of Ravenscliffe@SpringHall, headteacher

“The vision is to raise opportunities for young people with special needs to develop their sporting and vocational skills in a specialist and accessible facility” Martin Moorman said: “The vision is twofold: to raise opportunities for young people with special needs to develop their sporting and vocational skills in a specialist and accessible facility that overlooks SpringHall athletics track.

“Additionally, it will provide an environment where people from Calderdale and West Yorkshire, young and old, those with specialist needs and those without, can access a quality and bespoke learning environment in the centre of Halifax.”

The kitchen is an integral part of the Ravenscliffe@SpringHall development – a £3.4 million sports and education centre situated about a mile from the main site for Ravenscliffe, which is the only special school serving the borough of Calderdale.

In addition to the training kitchen

and cafe, the centre provides classrooms for food technology, art, design and IT as well as speciallyadapted changing rooms.

Ravenscliffe High School and Sports College currently serves 165 students aged between 11 and 19 with a wide range of special educational needs including moderate, severe and complex learning difficulties and autistic spectrum disorders.

Young people spend three years in Ravenscliffe’s post-16 centre as they prepare for life beyond education.

In addition to learning professional skills, pupils receive practical advice on everything from travelling independently and managing a home to healthy eating and exercise. ➤ Find out more about the work of Wooden Spoon in your local area at woodenspoon.org.uk/near-you

Delightful dish: Ravenscliffe High School students show off the risotto they made under the tutelage of James Mackenzie Spring/Summer 2019

woodenspoon.org.uk

LIGHTING UP YOUNG LIVES Sensory equipment brings relaxing aura to hospital stays

W WHO Wooden Spoon Wales

WHERE Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales, Cardiff

WHAT Funding for play and sensory rooms

HOW MUCH? £250,000

THEY SAID “They’re places where families can get away from the clinical environment and just spend time with each other.”

OODEN Spoon-funded play and sensory rooms at Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales are helping patients and their families to swap the stresses of treatment for smiles.

Among those benefiting from some light relief at the Cardiff centre is four-year-old Lilly-May, who has been hospitalised since Christmas with a brain disease called leukodystrophy.

Her mother Rhian said the new equipment, which was officially unveiled by Welsh rugby legend Jonathan Davies ahead of this year’s Six Nations curtain raiser, has been of huge benefit to her daughter during their ongoing stay.

“Lilly-May’s condition hugely affects her sight, mobility and ability to communicate so she isn’t able to play in the same way as other children can,” added Rhian.

“But just like any other little girl, she still needs things to entertain and

“It gives us enormous pride and pleasure to witness the successful completion of this wonderful project.”

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stimulate her, both for fun and so that she can continue to develop.

“The sensory room is amazing because she’s so relaxed in there.

There’s so much to see and look at and she’s keen to reach out and interact with things.

“I love seeing her face light up when we go in there.”

The introduction of play and sensory rooms, which were created thanks to a £250,000 donation to Noah’s Ark from Wooden Spoon Wales, was also welcomed by the hospital’s play specialist, Juliet Hughes.

“They’re places where families can get away from the clinical environment and just spend time with each other,” she said. “Children, especially younger ones, often get fearful of grown ups while they’re in hospital because they start to associate them with unpleasant procedures.

“The play and sensory rooms are strict no-procedure zones and you can tell the children sense that because of how much they relax.

“They’re places where we as play specialists can continue to work on a child’s needs and development in a safe, playful environment and the sensory room in particular is where both the children and families visibly unwind.”

Juliet explained that the sensory equipment had brought about “dramatic improvements” in children who had not walked or crawled in weeks because of their illness.

“I also love how inclusive it is,” she continued. “Just like Lilly-May, not all our children are able to get up and go and play with toys in the playroom. But the sensory equipment is something that can be enjoyed by

everyone, whatever your need.”

Goal-kicking great Jonathan Davies, who represented his country in both rugby union and rugby league, attended the opening having kickstarted the fundraising for the project by running the Great North Run in Wooden Spoon’s distinct colours in 2006.

The player-turned-commentator, whose club career saw him star in Wales, England and Australia, met Lilly-May during his tour of the hospital and was accompanied by Huw Thomas, chairman of Wooden Spoon Wales. woodenspoon.org.uk

FUNDED PROJECT All smiles: Lilly-May meets Welsh rugby star Jonathan Davies and (bottom left), Wooden Spoon Wales members tour the new facilities

“The play and sensory rooms are strict no-procedure zones and you can tell the children sense that because of how much they relax.”

“It gives us enormous pride and pleasure to witness the successful completion of this wonderful project,” said Huw. “Several of our committee have seen their children and grandchildren benefit from the specialist quality care that Noah’s Ark provides to babies and young children across South, mid and West Wales.”

The completion of the play and sensory rooms marks the latest chapter in an enduring relationship between the children’s charity of rugby and Noah’s Ark. Wooden Spoon played a pivotal role in raising money to help fund the hospital’s first phase, which opened in 2005.

From these firm foundations, the charitable arm of Noah’s Ark has

since raised more than £22 million to build and equip Wales’ only children’s hospital and continues to provide support by funding life-saving equipment, facilities and services for families. ➤ Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital is one of many beneficiaries to have been supported by Wooden Spoon Wales.

The Welsh contingent of the children’s charity of rugby recently donated its millionth pound in support of deserving projects across the country.

Read more about the committee’s remarkable fundraising record and successes on page 21 of this issue of Spoonews or visit woodenspoon. org.uk/region/wales Spring/Summer 2019

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WONDER WALL

New climbing kit provides an oasis for Cornwall kids – whatever the weather

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WHO Wooden Spoon Cornwall

WHERE BF Adventure, Penryn

WHAT State-of-the-art climbing wall

HOW MUCH? £18,960

THEY SAID “The wall will enable us to build confidence, resilience, communication and trust.”

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Spring/Summer 2019

SERS of a modern indoor adventure centre will be able to scale new heights on a climbing wall funded by the children’s charity of rugby.

Wooden Spoon Cornwall stepped up to provide the state-of-the-art kit at the new Adventure Barn at Penryn’s BF Adventure, an outdoor centre and charity offering challenging, confidence-building activities to vulnerable young people.

The climbing wall caters for everyone from beginners up to experts, can accommodate users with a range of disabilities and has a specific overhang feature to allow those with limited mobility to receive additional support.

Clare Brown, BF Events Manager, said: “The facility has already been in constant use and will prove invaluable in allowing services to young people to continue all year regardless of the conditions.

“The climbing wall will enable us to build skills for life, confidence, problem solving, resilience, communication and trust.”

Wooden Spoon Cornwall’s climbing wall is a key part of the Adventure Barn, a facility BF Adventure had long wanted to add but was unable to find the required funding.

Although the centre has a wealth of exciting outdoor options, the lack of accessible and weatherproof challenge and development activities

limited the delivery of BF Adventure’s charity programmes. Its only previous indoor space was an old marquee which was in poor repair and unusable on windy days.

Approximately 4,000 young people each year will be able to access the new barn, with around 500 coming from significantly disadvantaged backgrounds or having a physical or learning disability.

Speaking after the barn’s official opening – during which Falmouth’s Deputy Mayor and the woodenspoon.org.uk

FUNDED PROJECT On the up: Cornwall children donned Wooden Spoon bobble hats to celebrate conquering their first charge up BF Adventure’s climbing wall

former Cornwall and Devon Police Commissioner had a go on the Wooden Spoon climbing wall – BF Adventure’s CEO Adrian Richards said that the charity had been supporting young people with disabilities, victims of abuse and those with high anxiety and depression for nearly 30 years.

He added: “The difference the charity has made to young people’s lives in some cases has been literally life or death. The addition of the Adventure Barn has been a long-held aspiration for the charity, but has never been affordable. Significant funders and blind faith from supporters going to the end of the Earth made it happen. Thank you.”

➤ Find out more about the work of Wooden Spoon in your local area at woodenspoon.org.uk/near-you Spring/Summer 2019

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Perfect place to play: Young Ebony has fallen in love with the Wooden Spoonfunded sensory room at Mencap Children’s Centre in Belfast

‘A MAGICAL PLACE’

Special sensory room brings adventurous Ebony (3) out of her shell

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WHO Wooden Spoon Ulster

WHERE Mencap Children’s Centre, Belfast

WHAT State-of-the-art sensory room

HOW MUCH? £67,000

THEY SAID “The Mencap Children’s Centre has brought Ebony on in leaps and bounds.”

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Spring/Summer 2019

STATE-OF-THE-ART sensory room at Belfast’s Mencap Children’s Centre has proved a “magical” addition to one young user’s life.

Ebony (3), who has Down’s Syndrome, is a huge fan of the funfilled room, which was installed two years ago thanks to a £67,000 grant from Wooden Spoon Ulster.

Her mother Lisa explained that while it was a shock to the system to discover Ebony’s condition a dayand-a-half after she was born, her incredible daughter has embraced every opportunity to learn and achieve – especially when using the sensory room.

She explained: “When Ebony started to attend the Mencap Children’s Centre, it totally changed my outlook on everything in terms of

her needs. They taught me so much about what Ebony needed as it was all new to me as well.

“Ebony loved the multi-sensory room – it was a magical place to her.”

Ebony’s enjoyment from the Mencap facility is easy to understand given the amount of activities contained within its four walls.

Users can recline on a water bed, explore sound and touch boards, become transfixed by bubble tubes and get hands-on with a tactile wall.

A projector casts slow-moving images and colours, while a mirror ball with spotlight and fibre optic sprays provides further stimulation.

The sound board and bubble

tubes are linked to the light system and Ebony has become a big fan of pressing buttons to personalise her experience.

Lisa added: “The Mencap Children’s Centre has brought Ebony on in leaps and bounds. It has brought her out of her shell and given her so much confidence – she has developed so much in one year, it’s just amazing.”

The Mencap Children’s Centre provides sensory experiences for children, especially those with multiple learning disabilities. ➤ Find out more about the work of Wooden Spoon in your local area at woodenspoon.org.uk/near-you

“Ebony loved the multi-sensory room – it was a magical place to her.” woodenspoon.org.uk

FUNDED PROJECT

A PLACE TO TALK

Counselling suite proves a welcome addition at Glasgow hospice’s new home WHO Wooden Spoon Scotland

WHERE Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice, Glasgow

WHAT Counselling suite

HOW MUCH? £50,000

THEY SAID “The bereavement support we provide offers young people new experiences, an opportunity to remember those who have died, and affirms the process of making new positive memories.”

Y

OUNG family members of people with life-limiting illnesses are being helped to cope with their emotions in a Glasgow hospice’s new counselling room created thanks to a £50,000 grant from Wooden Spoon Scotland.

The room – one of four in the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice’s (PPWH’s) family support suite – allows dedicated counsellors to provide oneto-one pre- and post-bereavement care for youngsters aged between 10-and-18-years-old.

PPWH moved into a state-of-the-art new facility in 2018 and the services provided at the Bellahouston Park centre will benefit as many as 5,000 users every year.

Chief Executive Rhona Baillie explained to Spoonews that the counselling sessions are taken up by young people who may have lived through months or even years of having a loved one going through a life-limiting condition.

The subsequent death of a family member can result in isolation as the bereaved person tries to understand what is happening and manage their emotions and the subsequent changes in their family and peer relationships.

Rhona said: “The bereavement support we provide offers young people new experiences, an opportunity to remember those who

have died, and affirms the process of making new positive memories.

“This support provides various opportunities for peer support as well as an opportunity to express their personal grief experience.

“Children and young people tell us they feel more confident talking about the death of their loved one; have a better understanding of death and dying; are able to explore their worries and anxieties.

“Parents and carers tell us they notice changes such as children worrying less; being able to talk with them about the loss of their loved one and more confident in general.”

With research showing that failure to deal with emotional issues in the early stages of a child’s grief can lead to problems ranging from truancy and bad behaviour to lowered educational achievement and crime, the room made possible by Wooden Spoon Scotland will enable profound, longlasting impacts.

In providing a safe, comfortable space for bereavement support, PPWH is able to help young people to work their way through this difficult time and develop lifelong resilience and wellbeing.

The specialist bereavement support allows users to talk about the person who has died, relate to other family members on the impact it has had

and to focus on the future.

Rhona added: “We offer bereavement counselling and also support to young people suffering fear, anxiety and anticipatory grief when they have a life-limiting illness.

“Being a teenager is a hugely critical time for many young people but being faced with a life-limiting illness means they may be forced out of their peer group and left isolated.

“Many of the young people have complex mobility and breathing requirements that means they can’t always leave the house easily to meet with friends or to allow for socialising.

“We want to enable these young people to have a life of their own, make new friends and give them some independence away from their families and carers in a safe and protected environment.”

PPWH’s new home provides the charity with versatile communal and private spaces which make good use of landscaping, subdued lighting and soft furnishings to create a therapeutic, age-appropriate environment. Rhona said that feedback from families had been “100 per cent positive” in having an impact on their general wellbeing. ➤ Find out more about the work of Wooden Spoon in your local area at woodenspoon.org.uk/near-you Spring/Summer 2019

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FUNDED PROJECT

Guest of honour: Sir Bill Beaumont – holding the National RUAble Tag Championship Cup which Morecambe Road School won in 2012 – is joined by children, staff and governors for the opening of the garden rooms

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

World Rugby chairman Sir Bill officially opens Lancashire school’s garden rooms WHO Wooden Spoon Lancashire

WHERE Morecambe Road School

WHAT A pair of garden rooms

HOW MUCH? £25,000

THEY SAID “It creates additional space so that we have children with various needs who need areas where they can do small group work away from the main classes. It’s a quieter environment and a nicer place for them to learn.”

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P

UPILS at a Morecambe school got up close and personal with one of rugby’s biggest names when Sir Bill Beaumont showed up to open two new outdoor learning hubs.

The former England Grand Slamwinning captain, now chairman of World Rugby, headed to Morecambe Road School to unveil its pair of garden rooms, which were made possible in part by a £25,000 grant from Wooden Spoon Lancashire.

Sir Bill, the Lancashire region’s Honorary President, was given a tour of the buildings, which provide learning and activity space with a green outlook for the school’s 147 pupils with special educational needs.

Speaking at the unveiling, during which Bill addressed a full school assembly, had a tour and took time to sign autographs, the former British and Irish Lion said: “It’s absolutely amazing – I think the whole school is amazing, from the headteacher to all the staff and pupils.

“There’s a fantastic atmosphere in the school and I’m delighted on behalf

of the charity to come and open the two new centres.”

The addition of the garden rooms was a long-held ambition for staff at the school, with the leadership team having searched for a way to provide teaching, learning and exercise in an outdoor area.

Headteacher Paul Edmondson expressed his gratitude for Wooden Spoon’s assistance in making the project a reality, something he described as “the culmination of twoto-three years of work”.

He explained: “This was an area that was run-down – there was a man-made pond underneath this which was overgrown and becoming dangerous because it was two feet deep in parts.

“These two buildings I saw at another special school and I wanted

to bring them here, but we needed to raise the money.”

The smart new structures provide Morecambe Road’s pupils with ample room to learn about science, nature and how to work as a team to achieve their goals. Activity stations encourage youngsters to participate in learning, play and exercise, helping them to become more active and having a positive impact on their health.

Paul added: “It creates additional space so that we have children with various needs who need areas where they can do small group work away from the main classes. It’s a quieter environment and a nicer place for them to learn.” ➤ Find out more about the work of Wooden Spoon in your local area at woodenspoon.org.uk/near-you

“There’s a fantastic atmosphere in the school and I’m delighted on behalf of the charity to come and open the two new centres.” woodenspoon.org.uk

FUNDED PROJECT

SWINGING INTO ACTION Inclusive equipment makes playground play a possibility for all

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WHO Wooden Spoon Merseyside

WHERE Mill Green School, St Helens

WHAT Wheelchair-friendly swing

HOW MUCH? £8,000

THEY SAID “To give our students this amazing opportunity we know it will not only benefit their experiences of play, but it will go a long way in aiding their communication, social and motor skills as well as their overall enjoyment during their time here at school.”

HEELCHAIR-bound pupils at a Merseyside school have been enjoying the simple pleasures of a playground swing for the first time thanks to the help of the children’s charity of rugby.

A grant of £8,000 from Wooden Spoon Merseyside allowed Mill Green School, in St Helens, to install a specialist swing capable of accommodating users with limited mobility.

The new addition sits in the school’s profound and multiple learning difficulties sensory garden and was officially unveiled by St Helens R.F.C captain James Roby (pictured right), Wooden Spoon Merseyside members and the Mayor and Mayoress of St Helens, Councillor Pat Ireland and Lynn Glover.

Mill Green Headteacher Warren Brooks said: “To give our students this amazing opportunity we know it will not only benefit their experiences of play, but it will go a long way in aiding their communication, social and motor

skills as well as their overall enjoyment during their time here at school.

“The whole bid process of submitting the application, hearing we were successful and the subsequent installation was an extremely enjoyable one from start to finish.

“We would like to express our sincere thanks and gratitude to all who have been involved.”

Mill Green’s new play equipment serves the school’s 91 pupils between the ages of 14 and 19, while it is also available for a further 225 youngsters from neighbouring feeder school Lansbury Bridge.

Supplied by a specialist Welsh manufacturer, the swing allows children in wheelchairs to enjoy something they have never tried before and gain sensory enjoyment from being outdoors and experiencing the equipment’s movement.

It also helps users to develop their communication skills using eye contact, gestures and sounds as they

work on a one-to-one basis with staff.

The school, which is the local borough’s only outstanding special needs provision, plans to use the swing as a relaxation technique and a reward. ➤ Find out more about the work of Wooden Spoon in your local area at woodenspoon.org.uk/near-you

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Pleased to meet you: Rory Underwood says hello to a user of Zoe’s Place, in Middlesbrough

A SAFE PLACE TO SLEEP Special cots bring comfort to caring Middlesbrough centre

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WHO Wooden Spoon Durham

WHERE Zoe’s Place Hospice, Middlesbrough

WHAT Two specialist therapy cots

HOW MUCH? £13,000

THEY SAID “The impact of this project on our children and their families is tremendous.”

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HOSPICE for babies and young children has purchased two specialist therapy cots thanks to a £13,000 donation from Wooden Spoon Durham.

The grant allowed Zoe’s Place, in Middlesbrough, to acquire the special needs baby cots, which provide a comfortable, safe and clinically-appropriate surface.

Former England winger Rory Underwood and representatives from five local rugby clubs saw the new equipment in action during a visit to Zoe’s Place, which provides palliative, respite and end-of-life care to babies

and infants aged from birth to five who are suffering from life-limiting or life-threatening conditions.

A spokesman for the charity said the cots would allow children to sleep in a safe and comfortable environment, adding: “All the infants that are currently attending the Hospice have a number of special needs and the addition of a cot such as this will help to greatly improve their quality of life. The impact of this project on our children and their families is tremendous.”

The high-class cots feature electronically-adjustable lying

surfaces which can be altered to meet each individual child’s preferences and needs.

Carers can raise or lower the cot’s height to provide easier access to the child, while the surface also provides vital support to the user’s body.

The cots, which could benefit as many as 123 children, mark the beginning of a new relationship between Wooden Spoon Durham and Zoe’s Place. ➤ Find out more about the work of Wooden Spoon in your local area at woodenspoon.org.uk/near-you

“All the infants that are currently attending the Hospice have a number of special needs and the addition of a cot such as this will help to greatly improve their quality of life.” woodenspoon.org.uk

FUNDED PROJECT

Deserving cause: Pakefield Riding School founder Tess Hardy celebrates the venue’s one-day overhaul with Wooden Spoon Eastern Counties chairman Seamus Farrelly

A TICKET TO RIDE

Wooden Spoon supporters saddle up to renovate long-standing disabled riding school

A

WHO Wooden Spoon Eastern Counties

WHERE Pakefield Riding School, Lowestoft

WHAT Renovation of indoor riding area

HOW MUCH? £31,000 – and a lot of elbow grease!

THEY SAID “You have done an amazing job – thank you so much.”

RIDING school that has served youngsters with a disability for more than half-a-century has had its facilities overhauled thanks to Wooden Spoon Eastern Counties.

The children’s charity of rugby donated £31,000 raised from 2017’s Club Together cycle challenge – which saw 84 riders cover 320 miles over three days as they visited Norfolk’s rugby clubs – to Pakefield Riding School to rejuvenate its tired-butmuch-loved arena and stables.

And Wooden Spoon’s assistance stretched far beyond pounds and pence, with volunteers joining experts from Fusion Community Initiatives to complete the construction work at the Lowestoft branch of the Riding for the Disabled Association.

Region chairman Seamus Farrelly, who was present on the day, explained that the project had been in the pipeline ever since 2017 when further funds from Club Together’s total of more than £125,000 were used to purchase Moss, a Shire Clydesdale cross horse.

Speaking during the one-day build project, he added: “We have come here today to put this project together with the help of some great volunteers and the knowhow and expertise of Fusion.

“The Riding for the Disabled Association at Pakefield have done an excellent job over 55 years and it couldn’t go to a better place.”

Volunteers whose day jobs included hairdressing, finance, recruitment and bricklaying – as well as others who are retired – signed up to refresh Pakefield’s indoor arena, which had

not received much attention since being constructed in the 1960s.

The facility was stripped back to the bare bones by Fusion’s team before the volunteers stepped in to upgrade everything bar the roof by 7pm the same day, in turn creating a brighter, airier space for the centre’s users.

Pakefield Riding School was founded by Tess Hardy and husband John and was the first centre in the region to provide the physical and mental benefits of horse riding to the disabled community.

Offering users the opportunity to mount one of 25 horses and ponies suitable for riders from novice to advanced level, the school’s Wooden Spoon-upgraded assets also include a more spacious spectator gallery for parents and carers.

John Hardy told volunteers at the end of the day: “You have done an amazing job – thank you so much.” ➤ Find out more about the work of Wooden Spoon in your local area at woodenspoon.org.uk/near-you Spring/Summer 2019

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A

CHARITY that uses horses to change young lives is making even greater use of its Wooden Spoon-funded facilities after moving to a new site.

Sirona Therapeutic Horsemanship unveiled its teaching and therapy room and field shelters in 2017 at its then-home in Seale Hayne after the children’s charity of rugby’s Devon region generously provided a £12,500 grant.

The organisation, which provides equine therapy and educational activities to young people, has since moved to a purpose-built centre on the Dartington Hall estate – and has been able to bring the portable classroom and shelters along.

Sirona’s new home provides ample space for the charity’s invaluable work thanks to an open barn, separate stables, undercover area, an arena, round pen and a copse.

The provision of the teaching and therapy room – which was opened by “Mr England” Pete Cross – allowed Sirona to double the number of sessions it could provide for its users, who range in age from six to 25-years-old.

The structure gives the charity a heated indoor space where staff and users can warm up after working with the horses and the room can also be used for quizzes and arts and crafts. Young people are even able to enrol in educational courses, including City & Guilds Level One and two horse care qualifications run in partnership with Duchy College, with lessons held in the Wooden Spoonfunded teaching and therapy room.

Through equine-based activities supported by professional and passionate staff and volunteers, Sirona’s users are able to improve their self-confidence and self-esteem, pick up new skills, learn empathy and responsibility and develop physical and mental health benefits.

The charity’s services benefit from its CEO’s academic expertise, with Dr Hannah Burgon having completed a PhD into the benefits of therapeutic horsemanship and equine-assisted learning and therapy in 2010.

RESADDLED Legacy lives on following charity’s jump to a new location

WHO Wooden Spoon Devon

WHERE Dartington Hall estate

WHAT Teaching and therapy room and field shelters

HOW MUCH? £12,500

➤ Find out more about the work of Wooden Spoon in your local area at woodenspoon.org.uk/near-you

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woodenspoon.org.uk

FUNDED PROJECT

APPETISING ADDITION

Outdoor area puts healthy eating on the menu for London school’s pupils

A WHO Wooden Spoon London

WHERE Kobi Nazrul School, Whitechapel

WHAT Revamped outdoor area

THEY SAID “We couldn’t have done this without the help from Wooden Spoon – not just the funding, but the volunteers and the team from Fusion.”

CENTRAL London school’s playground has been transformed into an oasis of healthy living thanks to the efforts of Wooden Spoon.

Twenty five volunteers from the children’s charity of rugby visited Kobi Nazrul School to build an outdoor area complete with seating, raised planters and a series of honeycomb wooden walls under the watchful eyes of experts from Fusion Community Initiatives.

The project, which was completed in just one day, sits at the front of the school’s Kobi Cooking Bus – a double decker equipped with a kitchen and used for a much-loved breakfast club.

Headteacher Belinda King said: “We couldn’t have done this without the help from Wooden Spoon – not just the funding, but the volunteers and the team from Fusion.

“What first started as a bit of a wild dream has come true. The children thought I was joking at the start, then they saw the bus turn up

and things start to develop.”

Kobi Nazrul is situated in the heart of Whitechapel in the London borough of Tower Hamlets, one of the country’s most deprived areas where 42 per cent of children qualify for free school meals compared to the national average of 25 per cent.

The new Wooden Spoonsupported addition – which was built by volunteers from the charity’s London region, veteran rugby players from the recent Armistice tour (pages 12-13) and participants from the LMAX Exchange Everest Rugby Challenge (pages 30-35) – will prove invaluable in the school’s mission to provide its pupils with access to healthy foods.

The raised planters will allow them to continue to grow their own produce, which can be prepared in the adjacent bus during lessons, for the popular cookery club or enjoyed by members of the community.

And the attractive hexagonal honeycomb wall provides youngsters with the chance

to go on the hunt for bugs.

Praising the volunteers for taking time out of their day jobs to assist the school, Belinda said that the new facility would be an inspirational asset for her students.

She added: “Last summer we had tomatoes, potatoes and peppers and we cooked what we grew. It introduced children to a lot of foods they hadn’t tried before and they were a bit more inspired to try them as they had grown them themselves.

“Breakfast club is respite for the children. Sometimes if life at home is a bit chaotic they can come here, do a range of activities, be with their friends and have a hot breakfast at the same time.” ➤ Find out more about the work of Wooden Spoon in your local area at woodenspoon.org.uk/near-you

Green and pleasant land: Wooden Spoon London volunteers created a wonderful outdoor area, complete with hexagonal bug walls, and even created new indoor seating (inset) at Kobi Nazrul School

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Smiles all round: Youngsters try out dancing on the moon (main picture), exploring fantasy lands (inset) and even “visit” New York (bottom) thanks to the Wooden Spoon Discovery Room

A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITIES Dorking Discovery Room breaks down boundaries for Surrey schoolchildren

A

WHO Wooden Spoon Surrey

WHERE St John’s Primary School, Dorking

WHAT State-of-the-art Discovery Room

HOW MUCH? £25,000

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SURREY school’s state-ofthe-art sensory room that transports young users to different places and times has become a creative centre for the whole community.

Installed thanks to a £25,000 grant from the children’s charity of rugby’s Surrey region, the Wooden Spoon Discovery Room was first unveiled at St John’s C of E Primary School in Dorking in October 2018.

And such was the popularity of the IT-driven project – which uses sensory stimuli to allow youngsters to experience space, the sea and even the Second World War – that it is now used by pupils from other schools in the area.

Speaking after the room was opened by the region’s Honorary President John Inverdale, Wooden Spoon Surrey chairman Brian Hodges said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been able to support this fantastic project which will do so much to enhance the learning experiences of the pupils.”

The Discovery Room is a hi-tech sensory classroom which opens up a world of opportunities for St John’s

220 pupils – 55 per cent of whom receive pupil premium and 35 per cent have special needs – as well as those from nearby establishments.

Users are enthralled by visual projections on the wall which are accompanied by a moving floor, smoke and sound. The room also enables youngsters to “visit” cities they might otherwise not get the chance to see, with interactive games developing their language skills and giving them the confidence to learn.

The school has noted a number of tangible benefits, including one pupil who overcame his fear of travelling by rail for a school trip when teachers projected a train carriage onto the

wall, complete with accompanying sound and movement.

Sessions for St John’s pupils are held every day during term time, with other organisations able to enjoy the facility outside of lessons.

A Wooden Spoon spokesman said: “We hope that this will be the first of many discovery rooms to be funded

by Wooden Spoon because they deliver on our vision that through the power of rugby every child and young person, no matter their background, has access to the same opportunities.” ➤ Find out more about the work of Wooden Spoon in your local area at woodenspoon.org.uk/near-you

woodenspoon.org.uk

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HOME-FROM-HOME

Five-figure donation funds laundry room at cancer charity’s new centre WHO Wooden Spoon Scotland

WHERE Ciaran’s House, Edinburgh

WHAT Laundry facilities

HOW MUCH? £20,000

THEY SAID “We are all incredibly grateful to everyone at Wooden Spoon for agreeing to make such an incredibly generous grant.”

U

SERS of a new “home-fromhome” for cancer patients and their families in Scotland will benefit from state-ofthe-art laundry facilities thanks to the children’s charity of rugby.

A £20,000 grant from Wooden Spoon Scotland to CLIC Sargent has allowed the national charity to kit out a dedicated laundry room at its new Ciaran’s House home in Edinburgh with washing machines and tumble driers.

Ciaran’s House – the latest of CLIC Sargent’s ten “Homes from Home” across the UK – provides nine en-suite bedrooms to families affected by cancer, providing a calm, non-clinical environment in which they can relax, eat and spend time together.

The laundry equipment is a vital tool in maintaining cleanliness around young patients whose weakened immune systems put them at risk of infection and who may be suffering from nausea or

sweating due to their treatment.

Describing the new kit – which is especially important as Edinburgh’s Royal Hospital for Sick Children (RHSC) does not provide laundry equipment – as an “indispensable part of the project”, a CLIC Sargent spokesman said: “We are all incredibly grateful to everyone at Wooden Spoon for agreeing to make such an incredibly generous grant.”

Due to be officially opened in May, Ciaran’s House replaces CLIC Villa, which served young cancer patients and their families since first opening its doors in 1997 but had to be relocated following RHSC’s move to a new site.

The property, on Old Dalkeith Road, helps to ease the mental and financial burden on those who have to travel for a child’s cancer treatment and includes communal kitchens and social areas. It has been named in honour of Ciaran McSherry, who twice donated

bone marrow to his late younger brother Reon after he was diagnosed with leukaemia aged just 11.

As well as being open to those staying at the centre, Ciaran’s House’s laundry room will also be accessible to non-residents such as parents with children on a ward who want their favourite pyjamas or bed sheets washed.

The value of CLIC Sargent’s Homes from Home was summed up by the mother of former CLIC Villa user Cameron, who stayed at the centre after being diagnosed with leukaemia when he was five years old.

She said: “CLIC Villa was just lovely. I honestly don’t know what we would be able to do without it – I can’t imagine not having it.” ➤ Find out more about the work of Wooden Spoon in your local area at woodenspoon.org.uk/ near-you

Ace addition: An artist’s impression of Ciaran’s House, CLIC Sargent’s new home in Edinburgh

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Congratulations to all our Double Record Holders and for raising over £250,000

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