Big Lift raises £20k in memory of Garry

BARNES chairman Michael Whitfield has been blown away by the support for the club’s ‘Big Lift’ campaign to raise funds for NHS charities after the passing of club supporter Garry Garrett from Covid-19.

Yesterday, rugby clubs around the globe came together by raising one million kilograms above their heads in 24 hours.

England hooker Jamie George has been prominent among current internationals to give his backing to the cause.

George, a friend of Garry’s son Jack Garrett, who plays hooker for Barnes, pledged to lift 3,000kg and has rallied the England team to take part after the death of Garry.

The club have already doubled their £10,000 target with donations arriving from all corners of rugby.

“We are well over £20,000 now and I think we have had over 50 videos posted from players past and present,” Whitfield told TRP.

“The England team ran a Zoom video session on Saturday morning, James Haskell and Chloe Madeley did something on Instagram, and Sky were in touch earlier in the week.

“Garry used to come to watch all the games. He represented every man and woman that supports rugby – he was a lovely man who was passionate about rugby.

“He would go to the games and talk to you for hours about rugby. He was sadly taken from us within six days of going into hospital and succumbing to Covid-19.”

George is not the only England player to join the cause with Joe Marler, George Ford and Billy Vunipola all posting videos to social media to champion the fundraising effort.

It has reflected the essence of rugby’s values according to Whitfield.

“What I am proud about is rugby as a whole, not just Barnes, is embracing this,” he added. “I have received messages from Australia, South Africa, other rugby clubs like Henley and Richmond, Bury St Edmunds and Guernsey who are getting involved – that is what rugby is about to me. I am really proud about what we are doing.

“We’re now above the £20,000 level and hopefully we can go further, who knows maybe £50,000.”