Dronfield RFC Pink Sock Day

The Pink Sock Day was Dronfield RFC’s game against Morley RFC on Saturday 4^th Nov.

Pink Sock Day Coordinator, Peter Lowry, explains the background to the event, and summarises the fundraising activities on the day…

“As part of its ‘help in the community’ philosophy, Dronfield had provided for the whole season a pitch-side advertising board for Ashgate Hospice. This has been designed by Ashgate and was in position on the half way line for this fixture.

As we were inviting representatives from Ashgate along for photos standing next to the board it seemed appropriate to expand the day to raise funds for the Ashgate Hospice Virtual Ward. As pink is the colour associated with Ashgate, to increase awareness it was decided that that Dronfield’s 1^st XV team would wear pink socks for the match.

The Club’s Committee agreed to the idea and the socks were donated by the family of two club members whose wife/ mother sadly died this year having been one of the first patients to make use of the Virtual Ward (Ward equivalent Palliative Care in the comfort of their own home ).  The family had also agreed to sponsor the match of behalf of Ashgate and the Ashgate Logo will appear on the Club’s Website for the season and on Facebook for this match. The opposition on the day, Morley Rugby Club from Leeds, agreed to wear Pink Armbands ( both teams cannot wear the same colour socks!).

Spectators from both teams were also asked to wear something pink.

Prior to the start of the match there was time for a Photo Session, including players from both sides, club officials and Ashgate Representatives.  As requested, Ashgate staff also brought along collection buckets so spectators from both sides could make donations. Cakes cookies and biscuits were also available pitch-side for a small donation.

Ollie, a member of the Mini Section of the club, and his mum made pink loom bracelets which were sold in the clubhouse by Ollie and some of his friends from the Mini & Junior Section of the Club.

There was also be a collection in the clubhouse after the game for both the rugby and football teams playing at Gosforth Fields that afternoon and  other members of the public using the facilities. All donations made during the day went towards the expansion of the Virtual Ward which started in March this year with the first two patients and is now extending support to care for hundreds more patients at home.

The total amount raised was a fantastic £1,003-22 !!!! and the league match itself was won by  Dronfield 17-10 .

Dronfield Rugby Club are proud to support Ashgate Hospice