THE BACK PAGE
Bannockburn Rugby Club members raised more than £850 for the Royal British Legion with a sponsored Poppy Run at the weekend.
With no formal remembrance event permitted due to coronavirus measures, the club found another way to mark the occasion and do some good.
Organised by Director of Rugby Jimmy Samuel - a serving army officer - 46 players and club members completed sociallydistanced relay runs of up to five kilometres in and around the club grounds.
In boggy conditions, they racked up 158 kilometres collectively – earning the Royal British Legion almost £5.41 every kilometre. Poppies were also sold on the day, with the club collecting cash donations for Poppyscotland.
The run coincided with the club’s RBS Rugbyforce weekend – a grassroots initiative aimed at growing the sport.
RBS and Scottish Rugby challenged clubs to“do their 80 minutes”of activity to improve facilities and expand support and Bannockburn chose to mark the occasion with a remembrance fundraiser.
Over lockdown, club members have raised thousands for good causes such as NHS Forth Valley, the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, and now the Royal British Legion and
Poppyscotland.
Jimmy said:“the Royal British Legion is a cause close to my heart, so it was great to see our members turn out in force.
“Things are obviously different this
Remembrance week due to the pandemic, but we still wanted to do what we could to pay our respects.
“Remembrance week is a time for us to reflect and honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice, but also to support the forces personnel who fall on hard times – and that was our aim with the Poppy Run.”