The Ulster 24 – 24 Clubs, 24 Pitches, 24 Hours: Report + Pictures

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES OF THEIR TRAVELS

A group of parents from Ballymena RFC Rascals have organised and completed a 24 hour pitch run over 24 clubs in Ulster raising money for the charity “Wooden Spoon”. Starting off in front of a packed Ravenhill stadium on Friday night, the intrepid adventurers ran the length of the famous ground at half time in the Magners league clash with the Llanelli Scarlets. The team drove through the night and following day, covering over 500 miles stopping at rugby clubs throughout the province; Malone, CIYMS, Harlequins, Cooke, Ballynahinch, Dromore, Banbridge, Newry, Armagh, Monaghan, Enniskillen, Omagh, Cookstown, Rainey OB, Randalstown and Carrickfergus.

Lunch time on Saturday, the team called in to Ballymena RFC to meet up with “Spoony” the charity’s mascot and Willie-John McBride the Ulster Branch President, at the club’s mini rugby festival, after which they set off on their final leg travelling to; Armoy, Ballymoney, Coleraine, Limavady and City of Derry. Last on the itinerary was Letterkenny RFC where they were met by the clubs Chairman Mark Bundschu and Mini Convener Jeremy Worth and boys from the mini section who presented them with over 200 euro they had collected, before heading home to Ballymena.

Wooden Spoon is rugby’s children’s charity founded in 1983 and is dedicated to helping disadvantaged and underprivileged children all over the UK and Ireland to live happier, richer lives. Irish rugby legend Willie John McBride is president of the Ulster branch which has, since 1995 contributed over £400,000 to projects in the province. Over £3,500 has been raised by the clubs involved in this event and by the team in Ballymena since February, all of which will benefit disadvantaged children in Ulster.

It is still possible to donate and have a chance of winning an Ulster RFC shirt signed by the current Ulster team by visiting:

www.justgiving.com/BRFCRascalCoach.