The sponsor of a rugby celebration in Leeds has shown it has the winning combination when it comes to raising money for good causes.
Hunslet-based engineering firm A Taylor & Son has raised £700 for the Leeds Rugby Foundation and the Teenage Cancer Trust through raffle ticket sales.
The firm is also sponsoring Leeds Rugby Foundation's year-long celebration of the 150th anniversary of rugby’s arrival in Leeds.
David Minskip, commercial director at A Taylor & Son, said: “I would like to thank every one of our colleagues, customers, suppliers and friends who pulled out all the stops to raise a fantastic amount.”
He added: “This money is much needed for both charities who do amazing work here in Leeds and we are proud to offer our support throughout this special year.”
Mr Minskip also thanked Thorpe Park Hotel and Spa, theTown Hall Tavern pub and Yeadon’s Penny Black restaurant for their backing.
Likely highlights of the Leeds Rugby 150 events programme include:
– Thursday, June 19: A celebration at the John Charles Centre for Sport of the city’s biggest ever sporting date, the 1938 Championship Final between Hunslet and Leeds;
– Monday, July 14: dinner at Headingley Carnegie Stadium marking the 10th anniversary of Leeds Rhinos’ first Grand Final win;
– Monday, September 15: Leeds Rhinos awards evening;
– Saturday, November 29: a service at Leeds Minster commemorating rugby players lost in the two world wars.
Full programme details are available on the ‘taking part’ section of the www.leedsrugbyfoundation.org website.
Another eagerly-awaited upcoming event is a reunion lunch at Headingley on Friday, May 2nd.
Leeds Rugby Foundation has joined forces with The Rugby Football League to host a unique package which consists of a ticket to the Student RL Reunion Lunch to celebrate the birth of student rugby league at Leeds University in 1969 as well as the Varsity match for the Cec Thompson Cup, a tour of Headingley Carnegie Stadium and a match ticket to Leeds Rhinos Super League encounter against Wigan Warriors.
The Student Rugby League Reunion Lunch, at Headingley Carnegie Stadium, is an opportunity for former student rugby league players and teams to come together once again. The bar will be open from 11.30am with lunch served around 12.30pm. Former Leeds University student and duel-code international legend Ray French will be the guest speaker.
The package also includes a tour of the historic Headingley Carnegie Stadium followed by a match ticket to the Leeds Rhinos v Wigan Warriors Super League fixture (8pm kick off) which will commence ahead of the day's Varsity game between Leeds University and Leeds Metropolitan University for the Cec Thompson Cup.
This unique package is priced at just £55, but anyone interested is advised to book now as package places are limited.
Alternatively, if you would prefer to attend the Reunion Lunch only, tickets cost just £30.
Tickets for all 150 Year Anniversary events should be booked through LRF's Siobhan Walpole on 07739730464 or by emailing Siobhan.Walpole@leedsrugbyfoundation.org
Railway clerk Henry Jenkinson set the oval ball rolling in Leeds back in March 1864 when he placed a newspaper advert inviting people interested in playing football to meet up on Woodhouse Moor.
Just over a fortnight later, more than 200 people turned out to try their hands at an early version of rugby – and the rest is history.