A number of clubs, and their members, across Ulster are offering to help those in need in their local communities during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As part of an Ulster Rugby initiative for clubs to sell progammes on match nights at Kingspan Stadium, Lurgan Rugby Club has used half of its bursary money to put back into its local community by buying and delivering food parcels to those in need.
The club’s Mini Convenor, David Wellwood commented: “Lurgan Tigers had submitted an application to sell programmes at Ulster Rugby games as part of the bursary scheme. We had recently set up a girls’ team and planned to put money into that as well as increasing access to the Minis’ game for other sections of the community. Then COVID-19 hit.
“We felt as a club – both rugby and cricket sections - that we could do more for our community in this crisis. I got in touch with our Rugby Chair, Raymond Acheson, and he in turn worked with local sports clubs to create a forum in Lurgan. The Tigers had the programme-selling bursary scheme but we felt it should be spent on practical support for families and decided to allocate half of the bursary to a food parcel delivery service. We started by going to the local cash and carry to buy a few groceries and encouraged members to safely drop off any items they wanted to donate. We’re now working with our local Spar, spending around £800 per week and sending 50-60 parcels to households in conjunction with those working in health and social care. We have also developed excellent relationships with the local GAA clubs and have been working with them to make sure we distribute to as many people as possible.
“We soon realised how difficult it would be to ask people to donate groceries on a longer-term basis, particularly given that a lot of people are having financial difficulties at this time. So, we have started a JustGiving fund-raising page as well as recruiting the help of our very generous sponsors.
“We’ve received emails and thank-you cards, and the people we’ve delivered to have been overwhelmed by the help as they weren’t necessarily expecting it. It has driven more people to volunteer with us more often as a result, and the reaction has been incredibly positive.
“The programme-selling bursary from Ulster Rugby was the spark that drove us to want to help people, and it’s very easy to put in place. We hygienically pack the groceries and stagger deliveries so we are working to the safe social distancing protocols. I would encourage other clubs across Ulster, if they haven’t done so already, to get involved if they can and approach your local council to see how you can help.
“We have developed a great sporting collective in Lurgan and now the local community needs us, we are there to help as a group of clubs. This is a great way to divert that team energy and ethos into something positive.”
If clubs wish to get involved, please check with your local council to find out what help is required in your area.
