Trailblazing Cumbria Rams Vets Raise More Than £5,000 For Wooden Spoon
Cumbria Rams Vets made an early mark on the new rugby union season while taking their fundraising campaign for Wooden Spoon beyond £5,000.
The Rams travelled to Upper Eden RFC for a veterans fixture that became one of the first competitive rugby union matches played in the UK during the new season. The game took place after concerns over dry playing surfaces had delayed the wider start of competitive rugby.
The match was organised with the support of Upper Eden and provided the Rams with an opportunity to return to action while continuing their efforts to raise money for Wooden Spoon, the children's charity supported by rugby clubs and players across the country.
Cumbria Rams came through the entertaining contest with a victory by roughly two tries. Gareth Gore was particularly influential, scoring a hat trick in a performance that underlined his finishing ability.
Gore is also one of the assistant coaches for the Cumbria men's county team, giving the occasion an additional connection with representative rugby in the county. He also continued the traditional social side of veterans rugby by helping provide the post match refreshments.
Mike Pate took charge of the fixture as referee, while one of the Rams players was joined on the field by his son, who played at stand off. The combination of experienced players and family involvement added to the community atmosphere surrounding the game.
However, the most significant result came away from the pitch. The Rams received strong support from Upper Eden players, volunteers and spectators, with £300 donated directly to the Wooden Spoon fundraising effort.
A further £946 was generated through an auction held as part of the event. The auction proceeds are being shared between Cumbria Rams and Upper Eden RFC, providing support for both organisations while contributing to the wider fundraising effort.
The latest contributions have taken the Rams' overall fundraising total beyond £5,000. The team has now set its sights on reaching £6,000 as it continues its campaign in support of Wooden Spoon.
The fundraising effort has also faced a setback, with £300 previously raised by the Rams being stolen. The money had been collected as part of the campaign, meaning the team and its supporters now have to replace the amount.
Rather than allowing the loss to derail their efforts, the Rams have responded by setting themselves a new challenge. Player Kie Hitchcox has launched a JustGiving campaign to replace the stolen money while attempting to increase the total raised for the charity.
The incident has been particularly frustrating given the support the Rams have received from players, rugby clubs, businesses and members of the wider community. Their response, however, has been to continue fundraising and use the setback as additional motivation.
Cumbria Rams captain Chris Wright said the early fixture was a special occasion for the squad and praised Upper Eden for providing the opportunity to get rugby underway in the county. He also highlighted the quality of the match and the strong fundraising response from those attending.
The Rams are now preparing for Vets Fest 26 at Tynedale RFC, which is expected to bring together veterans teams for a major celebration of rugby and fundraising. The event will provide another opportunity for the Cumbria side to build on its campaign for Wooden Spoon.
With the fundraising total already above £5,000, the Rams' immediate ambition is to reach the £6,000 mark. The squad is also hoping for continued support from across Cumbria as it prepares for its next fundraising challenge.
The combination of rugby, community support and charitable fundraising has given the Cumbria Rams campaign a strong start. After becoming early trailblazers on the pitch, the veterans side is now focused on making an equally significant contribution away from it.
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