Highland Rugby Club veterans make their mark at the end of their centenary year with huge gift and toy donation for MFR Cash for Kids charity
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Big-hearted rugby veterans will bring smiles to the faces of disadvantaged youngsters this Christmas after a massive toy and gift collection.
Marking the end of centenary year celebrations, Highland Rugby Club’s over 35s embarked on a 100 Christmas Gifts for Kids fundraiser earlier this year.
After a huge team effort, the amount raised far exceeded expectations – with over £4000 worth of items secured for the MFR Cash for Kids Mission Christmas appeal.
Club representatives delivered the Christmas presents to the Mission Christmas HQ at the Telford Street Co-op in Inverness earlier this week.
Among the presents were 40 rugby balls, 110 cotton Highland RFC T-shirts, 20 footballs, eight football goals, 10 dream tents, 24 books, 11 games of Connect 4, nine bike helmets, six skateboards, 10 bluetooth speakers, 10 sets of earbuds and five lava lamps.
Andrew Russell from Highland RFC said: “This has been a team effort from Highland RFC and what a great way to end our centenary year by bringing some Christmas cheer.
“Money was raised thanks to the sale of Highland Rugby Club whisky, as well as donations from our veterans section.
“Cash for Kids does amazing work and this year, more than ever, families across the Highlands are struggling.
“We wanted to do our bit to help the charity in its mission to make sure that every child in the north of Scotland has a reason to smile on Christmas morning.”
The veterans set out to ensure older children, as well as young, were catered for.
Mr Rusell added: “Although we bought lots of presents you might expect, like the skateboards and Bluetooth speakers, we were guided by the team at Cash for Kids who advised us of some essential items for older children this Christmas.
“We bought a lot of warm snuddies, cosy socks, hats, gloves and hot water bottles. This just demonstrates how challenging life is for so many families at the moment.
“On behalf of Highland RFC, I’d like to thank everyone who helped us on the biggest Christmas shopping trip I think I’ve ever been involved with!”
The club also thanked Smyths Toy Superstore, B&M and Focus Vehicle Rental for generous support.
As part of the 100th anniversary of Highland RFC, the club set out to do 100 good deeds in the community in 2022.
Activities included delivering 100 food hampers for the homeless and elderly which were distributed by senior players and 100 balls for the community where 100 rugby balls were left in Inverness parks with a message written on them to encourage young people to play.
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There was also a charity auction at the centenary dinner and a bike ride, where members of the club cycled 100 miles for each of the 100 years, raising over £10,000 for charities.
Lauren Macinnes from Cash for Kids added: “We are extremely grateful to Highland RFC for this amazing delivery of Christmas presents.
“This will make such a difference to children and young people in the north of Scotland this Christmas.”
