Cumbria Women’s Rugby Union team has said a big thank you to the community for their outstanding contributions through fundraising.
Earlier this year, the Cumbria Women’s Gill Burns Championship team was planning for a game in Essex and a potential final at Twickenham, with mounting fears that they could not sustain the costs of the programme in comparison to the budget given.
Reliant on sponsorships and donations, this spurred the team to launch an online campaign to raise funds.
The collective efforts of players, management, coaches, friends, family, businesses, sponsors and the wider community culminated in raising £9,432.79 for the championship game and the final.
Arthur Perie, president of the Women’s Gill Burns Cumbria Championship team, led the messages of appreciation, saying: “Massive thanks to all the businesses, local supporters of sport, family, and friends for the tremendous support towards helping Cumbria Women’s Rugby get to the games at Essex and the final of the Gill Burns Championship at Twickenham.
“A giant thank you also to the players, coaches, and support staff for having such a wonderful campaign. So many proud moments and memories.”
Neil Marston, chair and RFU Council member, also extended his gratitude, noted: “A massive thank you to all our sponsors and everyone who contributed to the fundraising, enabling the county to run the senior teams in the recent championships. Your generous support is greatly appreciated. Thank you!”
Kirkby Stephen Youth Centre collaborated with the fundraising, symbolising unity and shared purpose.
Chrissie Hadfield, founder and chair of the youth centre, who also plays in the county championship side, expressed her heartfelt gratitude:
She said: “Having the privilege to put a Cumbria top on and represent our county is amazing, but to be able to inspire the youth of sports is so rewarding.
“The women’s team continues to provide role models and raise aspirations for girls’ teams across Cumbria, leading the path for success in women’s sports.
“It shows that women’s sport is important for mental and physical health, and the support and generosity we have received to keep this programme alive has provided us with so much support and value, we cannot thank everyone enough.”
