Worksop Rugby Club launch appeal in fight for survival

The club uses proceeds from the yearly gathering - which pulls in between 2,000 and 3,000 people - to fund itself.

With monthly bills in excess of £3,000 mounting and no money coming in the club has launched a crowdfunding in a desperate bid to stay afloat.

During the first lockdown the club - established in 1898 - was awarded £10,000 in Government help and £3,500 from Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire & Derbyshire Rugby Football Union.

However now members are once again unable to attend and events are once again banned the club fear they may not survive the pandemic.

Matt Hardy honorary secretary told how - with competitive rugby cancelled until September 2021 - the club now had to look for other sources of funding.

He said: “That’s the main source of income for us - we’re a business and like most businesses when your main income stops the bills still have to be paid.

“So now we’re just trying to do whatever we can to keep going through the next few months.

“Because we still don’t know how long this pandemic will last the idea that we’ll have to fold is always at the back of our minds.”

Kate Robinson, the club’s finance director, said it had been ‘at the heart of many families and the community for many generations’.

She added: “We want to give the club a future and fighting chance and to protect what most call ‘our second home’.

“We are desperately calling for help and support from all our players, members, visitors and supporters through this difficult time.

“Your donations - however big or small - are imperative for the survival of the club and will allow us to continue to be there for future generations.

“The club has been there for us throughout the years and we would like to return the favour.”

Since its launch on Friday the campaign has raised £700 – to make a donation see https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/help-save-the-worksop-rufc.

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