LYDNEY RFC RECEIVE EMERGENCY FUNDING

Report by Roger Pike

Lydney RFC have received £5000 of emergency Funding via National Lottery funding from Sport England’s Community Emergency Fund to help the Club survive in these very difficult times. With no income into the Club since the Lockdown began back in March the grant will help pay mandatory costs over the coming months.
It’s been an unimaginable season with events off the pitch dominating than the playing matters on it. Hopes were high for top spot as the season kicked; however playing matters have almost been forgotten with the tragic events that were to follow. In early February Storm Ciara arrived followed closely by Dennis over the weekend of the 15th February and disaster struck with Regentsholme and the Clubhouse totally flooded out. A herculean effort from working parties, volunteers, crowd funding, grants etc. saw the impossible happen and we were back playing at home again by 07th March. If these were not disastrous events, far worse was to follow with the deadly Corona Virus striking the UK. Following Government advice the season was correctly ended 4 games short with the Severnsiders in second spot and looking favorite for a promotion spot.
Club Spokesman Roger Pike commented’ it’s been a real rollercoaster of events this season but obviously dominated by the current crisis. We are extremely grateful for this emergency funding from Sport England, we have no current income into the Club, although the Club is closed we still have costs from loans, Utilities (water, electric etc.) plus the normal monthly Insurances. Measures are likely to continue for some while with no timescales announced for any possible restart this funding will be critical to ensure our survival.
On behalf of Lydney RFC, please can I stress we all follow the Government guidelines, if we all pull together, stay inside, follow the rules, help the NHS, then the sooner we will be out the other side, rugby will return at Regentsholme but for now nothing is more important than life itself. ‘
Stay Safe
Roger
Drive on Lyd