The Pontypool RFC ‘Name a Puppy’ programme in aid of the club’s official charity - Guide Dogs Cymru, has raised over £3,100 to date following a series of fundraising initiatives organised by Pooler supporters and staff.
Over £1,500 was raised via a sponsored walk from Pontypool Park to the Welfare Ground prior to the Newbridge RFC v Pontypool RFC fixture played on December 14th.
The walk was organised by Barrie Pearce and was accompanied by Darren Samuel, Morgan Samuel, Andrew Brimfield, Carol Gittings, Donna Schofield and Alys Pearce.
“Other than a few sore knees, the walk went fantastically well and we are all really happy with the amount raised,” said Mr Pearce. “Thank you to everyone who donated and thank you also to Newbridge RFC for allowing us to perform a bucket collection at half time.”
At the Pontypool RFC squad and staff Christmas party held at the Best Western Parkway Hotel & Spa on December 7th 2013, £800 was raised via a raffle that offered some fantastic prizes courtesy of club sponsors; Best Western Plus Parkway Hotel & Spa, Sytner BMW & MINI Newport and Medinet.
These initiatives follow the continuous donations made by supporters, including the prior success of the £374.03 raised at the Pontypool RFC v Ebbw Vale RFC match last September which saw over 1,100 people attend Pontypool Park for the local derby.
The objective of the ‘Name a Puppy’ programme is to raise £5,000 before the conclusion of this season to enable the training and puppy walking of a guide dog puppy.
The guide dog service transforms the lives of around 4,500 blind and partially sighted people in the UK every year, but it receives no government funding.
If £5,000 can be raised, a competition will be launched that will offer Pontypool RFC supporters the chance to choose the name of a guide dog puppy. A dedicated portion of the official Pontypool RFC website will also feature a variety of updates and photos of the guide dog puppy to highlight the difference contributions are making to the community.
To help reach this target, the Guide Dogs Cymru team will be accepting donations at the Pontypool RFC v Blackwood RFC fixture to be held at Pontypool Park at 2.30pm on Saturday.
If you would like to make a donation to the Pontypool RFC ‘Name a Puppy’ programme, please visit www.justgiving.com/PontypoolRFC.
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Pontypool RFC, Pontypool Park, Pontypool, South Wales, NP4 8AT
