Team racks up £50,000 on road to Twickenham
RUGBY legends have raised more than £50,000 with a week-long ride to Twickenham.
Ex-Tiger Will Johnson was one of a group who rode a route taking in 11 of the 13 top flight grounds, including Leicester, on the way to the Gallagher Premiership final.
Will’s brother, England and Tigers captain Martin, also joined the riders for part of the trip, in aid of the Wooden Spoon charity and local Gallagher Premiership Rugby Foundations.
Wooden Spoon funds life-changing projects across the UK and Ireland, including HITZ, which helps disadvantaged young people develop life skills, improve their mental health and wellbeing and provide education to help their employability.
Nathan Hines, ex-Scotland international and development director
for Premiership Rugby at Gallagher, said: “After so many months of planning, it was amazing to finally clip in at Kingston Park just after dawn and get under way on the Ride to Twickenham.
“The seven days that followed were long and tough but culminated in an emotional and incredibly rewarding journey.
“I’m so proud of the guys who took part, as well as all our colleagues and clients that joined us along the way, and I can’t thank everyone enough for their donations.
“I miss the competitive aspect of being on the rugby field so it was great to push myself physically again. I want to say a big thank you to the team at Gallagher for their support in making this happen.”
Wooden Spoon’s chief executive Sarah Webb said: “Thank you to Gallagher and Premiership Rugby.
“The Road to Twickenham has been an amazing event and is such a great example of the rugby community coming together to achieve great things.
“The funds raised will enable Wooden Spoon to support more vulnerable children across the UK and Ireland and I am very grateful to everyone involved.”
Charlie Scott, from Gallagher, said: “Our mission has raised such a significant amount of money for the league’s 13 charitable foundations, as well as Wooden Spoon.
“Together, these amazing organisations carry out life-changing projects.”