Players try Kiltwalk to raise cash
Perthshire rugby players decided to give the 2021 virtual Kiltwalk fundraiser a try.
And what a result they have had.
With The Hunter Foundation offering a 50 per cent top-up bonus, the combined team effort has raised nearly £10,000 for the Perthshire Community Rugby Trust.
Senior Perthshire Rugby players walked the length of Scotland following strict COVID-19 social distance guidelines. That added up to 275 miles and 184 laps of Perth’s North Inch parkland.
The team hit their target and more. By the time they called a halt they’d have made it to Blackpool.
“The Eaglets and P6s team bubbles took part in fun rugby challenges during their training session on the Inch and three P7s climbed Schiehallion with their parents,” said Perthshire Rugby administrator Carol Ann Rose.
“I found myself trying to keep pace with my children and two of their friends in a 22km cycle around Loch Leven and, believe me, the youngsters set quite a pace!
“It’s been an incredibly successful team effort and a tribute to the club values of sportsmanship, pride, respect and inclusion.
“In recent years our main fundraising activities have focused on the successful Perth Beer Festival and Rugby Sevens but the impact of the pandemic put paid to those.
“We are now looking forward to our event over the weekend of May 6 and 7 next year.”
The Kiltwalk was suggested by a friend of Carol Ann as a fundraiser.
“That set me thinking it was something we felt could bring our members together,” she said.
“We put it to the various teams and the response was very encouraging.
“To raise more than £9000 was a phenomenal effort, surpassing all our expectations and we are so grateful to The Hunter Foundation for the support.
“There’s been no matches since the epidemic started and we went into lockdown.
“But rugby is slowly coming back. All of our teams are back training. Fixtures are possible for our Mini and Midi sections.
“The senior players are keeping a close eye on Scottish Rugby Union updates and hoping to get the green light on when games will commence in the next few months.
“There has been an understanding of the times everyone has endured and the Kiltwalk provided a safe outlet for Perthshire Rugby to pull together and support the Community Rugby Trust.
“We are absolutely delighted with the support we have had from everyone.
“We have team managers at every age group who keep all of our teams up to date with what is going on.
“It has been so important to continue to engage with both parents and players during the pandemic, even if it is just to check in and ask how they are.
“We are truly grateful to all our members who have supported Perthshire Rugby over the last 16 months and are all looking forward to the return of rugby next season.”