Article Source: Wooden Spoon
Last Updated: 2 October 2024 11:37
Vets Fest 24, held at Old Reigatian RFC raised over £100,000 for Wooden Spoon.
16 men's and 12 women's veteran rugby teams gathered from across the UK and Ireland for a day of celebration, competition, and camaraderie. Wooden Spoon Ambassador Tim Visser captained the team from Scotland who were victorious in the plate final.
Vets Fest 24, held at Old Reigatian RFC raised over £100,000 for Wooden Spoon. 16 men's and 12 women's veteran rugby teams gathered from across the UK and Ireland for a day of celebration, competition, and camaraderie. Wooden Spoon Ambassadors Tim Visser and Kath Vass were both representing Scotland.
The vibrant atmosphere was enhanced by amazing fancy dress costumes and creatively decorated gazebos, with all four home nations represented from over 300 rugby clubs, making it one of the largest gatherings of veteran rugby teams in the country. Despite a week of inclement weather in the run up to Vets Fest, the event enjoyed clear skies, providing the perfect backdrop for a day filled with rugby and charitable fundraising.
The event, a cornerstone in Wooden Spoon's annual calendar, not only celebrated the sport but also raised crucial funds which could go towards projects such as The Wave Project which uses surf therapy to help young people experiencing anxiety, depression, disability, family breakdown or bullying. Wooden Spoon has recently funded a minibus to transport young people to Belhaven beach in Dunbar. https://woodenspoon.org.uk/recent-projects/new-minibus-for-the-wave-project-in-scotland/
Wooden Spoon Ambassador and former England rugby captain, Gill Burns, officially marked her retirement from full-contact rugby at Vets Fest 24. In a fitting finale to her illustrious playing career, Gill Burns captained the Merseyside and North women’s team to victory in the Plate final. Her team also clinched the fundraising trophy as they raised the most money for the charity.
Gill Burns, a long-standing supporter of Wooden Spoon, the children's charity of rugby, reflected on her final match, stating: "It’s been really special today. I met some lovely new mates in the Northern team, we really bonded, and everyone worked hard. It was an absolute pleasure, and the icing on the cake was winning the Plate final. When I retired from international rugby, we didn’t win the trophy I was hoping for, so this makes up for it in a little way. Wooden Spoon is a great charity, and it’s a pleasure to be here.”
Among the standout moments of the day were the Kent women’s team lifting the Maddy Lawrence Memorial Cup and the Kent men’s team securing the Olly Stephens Memorial Cup. These teams were the overall winners of the rugby and fundraising combined.
Sarah Webb, CEO of Wooden Spoon, expressed her gratitude for the overwhelming support: "It’s amazing to see the rugby community come together, not just for the love of the game, but to support such an important cause. The energy today was unbelievable, and it’s a real testament to what rugby can achieve both on and off the pitch." Webb also thanked the event’s sponsors: “A special thanks goes to our main sponsor, OMERTA, whose support made Vets Fest such a success.
Their generosity enables us to continue funding life-changing projects for children and young people. Today’s event will have a lasting impact on many lives.”
Vets Fest 24 was a remarkable celebration of sport, community, and giving back. As the day drew to a close, the event’s success was evident—not only in the funds raised and awareness generated but also in the powerful sense of unity within the rugby community across the UK and Ireland.
Image: Gill Burns MBE receiving her trophy
Over 30,000 runners will participate in the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run this weekend, making it the biggest staging of the event yet!
READ MOREComedian Craig Hill takes his latest hit show, I've Been Sitting On This For A While!, out on tour across Scotland later this month!
READ MOREAfter a string of sold-out events across the US, Amazing Silent Discos is bringing its unforgettable retro silent disco to the iconic Old Fruitmarket for one night only on Saturday 2 November!
READ MOREIf you're looking for exciting ways to keep the kids entertained this half-term, look no further than Northern Ireland!
READ MOREExhibition on Screen brings the National Gallery's stunning Van Gogh exhibition to the big screen, along with a deep dive into his fascinating life and incredible skill.
READ MOREHistorical re-enactors will be heading to Historic Scotland sites across the country this October for this year's Great Big Living History Week!
READ MOREThe Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) has today revealed the 10 Shortlisted albums now in the running for 2024’s Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award
READ MOREPeople affected by pregnancy and baby loss will be joining together to take part in a range of activities to remember and talk about their babies this Baby Loss Awareness Week.
READ MOREMiller Homes, Scotland's leading homebuilder, is brightening the streets across the West of Scotland this autumn as it celebrates the fifth anniversary of its Home Safe campaign.
READ MOREEvent that welcomed huge crowds at Dean Castle, will add a sprinkle of stardust with magical festive fun held at both the original venue and a new location at Beecraigs Country Park.
READ MORELeading Scottish camping and outdoor specialist brand, Vango, has announced it is working with VisitScotland to promote responsible tourism across the country.
READ MOREEx Scotland rugby internationals Tim Visser and Kath Vass joined 800 Men and Women for Vets Fest 2024 to Celebrate Vets Rugby and Raise Funds for Wooden Spoon.
READ MOREFuture Woodlands Scotland and bp are on a mission to add more trees and green spaces to Scotland’s cities and towns.
READ MOREThe Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award, today invites music fans to ‘Have their SAY’ and vote for their favourite Scottish album, plus announces Karen Dunbar and more as judges.
READ MOREFor a limited time, Cineworld presents a seismic lineup of blockbuster favourites, new and old, in immersive 4DX – all for just £5 a ticket or £3 for Unlimited members.
READ MOREBraehead Shopping Centre announces the opening of leading British performance sportswear brand, Castore.
READ MORECaptain Fantastic, the UK's leading children's party company, is supporting Dyslexia Awareness Week in Scotland with two fun interactive online parties.
READ MOREMake waves this Christmas with Lost Shore’s Festive Dining Experience, an indoor winter wonderland with fire pit drinks, sharing menu, festive cocktail offering and option for surf lessons.
READ MOREPaisley Central Library has received industry recognition as the finalists are announced for the AJ Architecture Awards 2024.
READ MOREBosses at Cardwell Garden Centre are hoping their cups runneth over with cash for a well-known cancer charity this Friday.
READ MOREWith Scottish legends Lulu and Travis, Dundee's own Kyle Falconer and rising Scots star Calum Bowie among the first winners to be announced.
READ MORECommunity groups and voluntary organisations are being encouraged to apply for grant funding from Renfrewshire Council to enable them to put on activities for local people from October to March.
READ MOREDobbies Garden Centres is welcoming kids across the country to its Little Scare-lings Howl-o-ween party this October for a frightfully fun time!
READ MORESeachdain na Gàidhlig has unveiled dates for its fourth edition under the theme Ceanglaichean gun Chrìch, which signifies Building Connections in English.
READ MOREHomebuilder announces next round of its Community Fund initiative, seeing a share of £10,000 distributed across Scotland.
READ MOREThe milestone 10th anniversary of Paisley Halloween Festival will see some exciting event changes with the return of the much-loved parade through the town centre.
READ MOREDobbies Garden Centres is embracing the autumn season with a series of free-to-attend events throughout October, including Grow How, Little Seedlings Club and Little Seedlings Holiday Club.
READ MOREAsda's charity, The Asda Foundation, has awarded £150,000 to eight community groups across Scotland through its Investing in Spaces and Places grants.
READ MOREStatues of everyone's favourite bear will be taking a seat in locations across the UK and Ireland in early October!
READ MORETickets for this year's IRN-BRU Carnival launch with the chance to win on Glasgow's streets!
READ MORE