Jersey Reds fixture to host Foundation Day at GR

Posted: 23rd March 2023
 

Bedford Blues are delighted to announce that next month’s crucial Championship fixture with high-flyers, Jersey Reds on Saturday 15th April will play host to our second designated Blues Foundation Day at Goldington Road.

Our charitable arm, which was launched in 2020, will host a takeover on matchday to highlight their work and fundraise towards current and future activation helping some of the most deprived wards in Bedford.

This follows a highly successful first ever Foundation Day against Saracens Storm in pre-season leading into the 21/22 campaign which raised important funds for the work of the past two years.

As well as the traditional bucket collections and raffles, Blues Foundation will be implementing a showcase of the charity’s activities including a series of inflatables on the training pitch at Goldington Road, as well as rugby skills masterclasses and many more activities announced closer to gameday.

Set to be the charity’s biggest fundraising day of the year, we are excited for the potential this day can bring as we try to spread the word about Blues Foundation to even more residents and Bedford supporters who might not yet have come across their work before.

Blues Foundation Manager, Tom Harwood said ahead of the day: “The upcoming Foundation Day is an incredibly important event to help spread awareness of Blues Foundation’s life-changing work, as well as raising funds so we can continue to make a lasting change to people’s lives.

“We support some of the country’s most vulnerable people, those who need additional guidance, and children within mainstream schools. We help these young people to enjoy learning, re-engage with education, pass exams, find employment and improve their social and emotional wellbeing.”

PROGRAMME SUCCESSES (JANUARY 2023 – MARCH 2023):

· 1,200+ young people reached through Blues Foundation programmes between January to March.

· 5,500 service users engaged with throughout (number of unique visits to our sessions).

· 650 children attending our rugby delivery in schools.

· Girls rugby programme rolled out in secondary schools across Bedford Borough.

· Outreach programmes sees boost through Police and Crime Commissioner funding

SOME KEY STATISTICS SINCE LAUNCHING AS A CHARITY INCLUDES:

· Over 7000+ hours of physical activity delivered since July 2020

· Over 40,000 items donated to Bedford Foodbank in the past three years

· Over 5,500 meals delivered to vulnerable families and individuals

· Multiple flagship projects including Tackle LIFE & ABILITY Blues launched and piloted

· Partnerships developed with Bedford Borough Council and Bedfordshire Police, supporting young people at risk of offending

· Relationship built with Bedford College to deliver well-being and activity packages

· Over 700 children aged 5 – 15 engaged with as part of our Summer Holiday Programmes

· More families encouraged to exercise as part of our Families Fund Project

· Bespoke physical activity project for Penrose Housing targeting the promotion of positive mental and physical health

We are extremely proud of the impact our charitable arm has been able to make across Bedfordshire by building further key relationships and projects to directly influence the lives of as many people as possible in our county. You can play a huge part in helping our charity to flourish, and alongside the chance to join our CHAMPION scheme, there are many more ways you can have your own impact at the game.

Blues Foundation are looking for volunteers to help carry out the festivities on match day, including a whole host of fun activities as well as helping collecting funds for our charity.

Think you can help? Contact Blues Foundation Manager, Tom Harwood on tom@bluesfoundation.org.uk and help continue the impact across Bedfordshire.

If you can’t make it to the game, don’t worry, you can still show your support. You can send a one-off donation just by clicking here and stay up to date by hearing the impact of your generosity by subscribing to our charity’s newsletter here.

The best place to stay up to date with the latest developments and confirmed activation for Foundation Day is on social media. Our charity can be found on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

We look forward to seeing you all next month!