Clippers at the ready in Ellingham and Ringwood RFC fundraiser

ELLINGHAM & Ringwood RFC have been given a helping hand by current and former players who have received donations for a sponsored head shave.

Due to the coronavirus crisis, Ellingham & Ringwood’s season was cut short, which put the club in some financial difficulty with a forecast £17,000 deficit due to the cancellation of several home fixtures, a loss of income from other organisations using the clubhouse and, most significantly, the cancellation of their popular festival of touch rugby and real ale held every Good Friday.

However, the club’s players rallied to the call and organised a sponsored head shave.

So far more than 60 current and former players, including adults and junior players, have had their head shaved, which also solved the problem of no barbershops being open. So far more than £4,500 has been raised on their Virgin Giving page.

The club’s women’s and girls’ players also wanted to support the cause but did not fancy shaving their heads, so they opted for an ice bath challenge.

In addition to supporting the club, the site also gives the option to donate to the coronavirus charity appeal.

Club chairman Rob Ford said: “The crisis has put the club in a very difficult situation that we’re addressing in a variety of ways including reducing all expenditure we can and generating income in a variety of ways, including some grants available to sports clubs to support them at this difficult time.

“But the effort from the players, led by first-team captain Henry Benson, has been magnificent and says a lot about the club”.

He added: “I’m also pleased our players are reaching out beyond the club, including the donations to the coronavirus charity appeal and the weekly Saturday morning collections for the Ringwood food bank”.

To donate and support the cause, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/HenryBenson2