Call to support Cirencester's young rugby stars

Parents and coaches at the rugby club in Cirencester have appealed to the public to help them raise £10,000 to subsidise the youth teams' rugby tour to Exeter this summer.

This trip is expected to cost around £24,000 and the organisers want to make sure this team-bonding opportunity is accessible to as many families as possible.

During the tour around 50 children, aged between seven and 12, from Cirencester and the surrounding areas will take part in rugby matches and team building exercises around Exeter.

The players and coaches will be donning Roman costumes to celebrate the club's 75th anniversary.

A number of events have been organised to raise funds for this including a race night on Friday, March 1.

The evening will be held at the clubhouse and will include a pie supper, a prize for the best dressed and an auction.

To buy tickets - which cost £20 per person or £100 for companies wanting to sponsor a race - email crfctour2024@hotmail.com 

There will also be a car wash outside the clubhouse on Saturday, March 9 between 10am and 2pm and on Sunday, March 10 between 12pm and 2pm. 

Prices for the car washing service will range depending on size of vehicle - £5 for a small car, £7.50 for a large car and a £10 for a van.

The club has also set up a GoFundMe page. 

Marie Eyre, whose son plays in the one of the youth teams, has been helping organise the trip and has stressed the value of these tours.

She said: "The tour provides the budding rugby players a fantastic opportunity to play at different clubs outside their usual local teams. 

"Cirencester rugby has a broad range of players, both boys and girls and the club takes much pride watching their rugby skills develop over the years, some playing into their adulthood.

"The trip is expected to cost around £24,000 the tour team are passionate about ensuring the trip is accessible to as many families as possible, meaning we have a £10,000 fundraising target."

To donate visit tinyurl.com/4smkj64x