VIDEO: LYMM Rugby Club is launching a “Centurions Crowdfunding Appeal” with the aim of creating a Lymm RFC COVID-19 related Development Fund to ensure the club can survive the loss of income streams.
With the club facing a £100,000 shortfall due to the loss of income streams, including the popular Lymm panto this year, the club has applied for Sport England match-funding and is hopeful this will be supported, with an initial funding target of £10,000.
If the club can raise the first £5,000 from over 100 donors, they are optimistic Sport England will pledge to match their £10,000 target with a further £10,000. In addition, with the potential for the donations to be Gift Aided, this project could raise up to £22,500.
Lymm RFC, therefore, needs to sign up a minimum of 100 donors to this scheme (members, family members, local businesses and non-members) to demonstrate sufficient widespread support for the project and meeting one of the key tests to qualify for Sport England support – the 100 donors could include, for example, 4 members from one family each donating, say, £50 each.
Become one of the first 100 Lymm RFC Crowdfunding Centurions by clicking here https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/lymm-rfc—covid19-funding-appeal
Lymm RFC is a registered charity established in 1960 and is a true community club. Having played in the 5th tier of English rugby for the past 10 seasons, puts the club in the top 100 rugby union clubs in the country. For many years, a key strength of the club has been their 350-400 strong Mini, Juniors & Colts rugby section, which has been successful in providing the vast majority of their senior rugby players. In addition to rugby, they currently support squash, hockey and touch rugby, and, in the past, rugby league and netball. Plans to add tennis to their sporting stable are well advanced.
As a community club, the rugby club has always ‘made ends meet’ through regular fund-raising events and generating sponsorship, predominantly from local businesses. Key events are their annual Pantomime, which has now been running for over 30 years, written and performed by club members playing to an audience of 1,500 over 8 performances, and otheir Summer Marquee events, held in June. These two events generate a surplus of around £70,000 which is vital to balance the books.
Covid-19 has reduced social income significantly forcing the cancellation of our Summer Marquee events, as well as the Panto. In all, the club faces a £100,000 shortfall in income.
Through the summer and into next season, despite introducing cost-cutting measures wherever possible they have a range of costs which, they will struggle to fund, including:
·Grounds upkeep and maintenance
·Equipment
·Repair and maintenance of changing, showering, physio and social facilities
·Additional safety measures that will be necessary as a consequence of Covid-19
Club spokesperson Simon Plumb, the mastermind behind the annual panto, said: “With your support, you can help ensure that these essential areas of expenditure are covered and that Lymm RFC will be able to provide safe playing and social facilities to support the pursuit of sport in our community now and in the future.”
