Charities are on the ball

There will be thrills, spills, famous names and fun and games in Harrogate on Saturday (July 22) when Swing Low Sweet Charity 2006 kicks off.

Visitors to the Harrogate Rugby Club in Claro Road can expect a fun-filled day bristling with entertainment centred on a charity seven-a-side tag rugby tournament with a difference.

As well as the tournament itself, which will feature some of the sport’s top players past and present, there will be a bumper package of stalls and entertainment in aid of Reach and Ataxia UK.

The fun day, in its third year, promises to be bigger and better than before for the two worthy causes and this year there will be two added attractions – the opportunity to see some of Rugby’s greats in action and the chance to win a brand new, £19,000 Land Rover Freelander donated by Farnell Land Rover  of Guiseley, Leeds.

The entertainment, which runs from 11.00am to 4.30pm, makes up the main event of the year for the two charities. Over the past two years it has generated almost £38,000 for them and this year the organisers are aiming to top £20,000.

Farnell dealer principal Jatinder Aujla said: “When I heard about Swing Low Sweet Charity and the fact the day was the main fund-raising event for the two charities I wanted to try to help them raise more money than ever before.

“It promises to be a great fun day for everyone – especially as the weather is forecast to be a little cooler!”

Twelve teams made up of ordinary men and women from local businesses will be playing with and against some of Rugby’s greats. Each will contain six players and a star and they will be battling it out during the day to find out which is number one.

The 12 players helping out make an impressive list – and the teams they are playing against must be thankful it is only tag rugby.

They include England, Bath and ex-Harrogate first team player Martyn Wood, Lions and England International Tim Stimpson – who returned to his native Yorkshire to team up with the Tykes in 2004 – Ireland International Guy Easterby, Border Reivers and Scotland player Simon Danielli and  New Zealand All Black Squad member Tom Harding.

A spokesman for Reach, which has more than 1,300 members and helps children and adults with upper limb deficiencies, said: “ Each year there are about 60 babies born in the UK missing part of one or both arms and hands. That means about 60 families – parents, siblings and grandparents – are devastated by the knowledge that their child is different and will never be totally two-handed.

“Sixty families may seem a small number but to each it is shattering and Reach needs funding to get to these people to provide support and information as early as possible to help them get round it.”

Ataxia UK is the leading charity for Ataxia, a condition that affects the nervous system and results in a lack of co-ordination.

A spokesman for the charity said: “There are many different kinds of Ataxia – most of which are incurable. It may start in childhood or in later life and can progress faster in some people than in others, sometimes leading to a loss of sight and hearing.
 
“One of the major objectives of Ataxia UK is to provide high-quality scientific and clinical research in order to eventually find a cure – but it costs £1,000 a week just to support one researcher. “

Anybody wishing to make a donation to these very worthy causes should contact Ralph Zoing at Swing Low Sweet Charity, telephone 01423-501401.