Events 2011 - 2012
CAIRN causes a commotion at the Harlequins Rugby Match
Striding across the Twickenham car park on a sunny Saturday in October, CAIRN's team of volunteers were a sight to behold. Kitted out in fluorescent green tutu's and donning matching wigs, our dedicated friends were preparing to shake, shake, shake their charity buckets at our first ever rugby match.
Congregating inside the Harlequins 16,000 strong stadium, our team armed with buckets and bright balloons, ensured that the incoming crowds could not escape without a sticker and a smile. Amused by our friendly green fairies, spectators were further impressed to find out that their support would be helping to educate children in Nepal through the construction of CAIRN next school.
Competition was also the name of the game amongst our volunteers with the three "Battersea Boys" leading the fight to fill their buckets the fastest. Working in tandem, George pulled at heartstrings as he balanced on his crutches whilst Olly and Evan's cheeky banter left no prisoners.
Proud of their collecting efforts our green team joined the sea of stickered fans as the whistle blew, announcing kick off. Quins entered the match boasting a 100% record at the top of the Aviva Premiership but were without their former All Black fly-half Nick Evans. Rory Clegg was handed the number 10 jersey in his place and he engineered the opening score for Ben Urdapilleta in the seventh minute.
Quins held on to take a narrow lead at half time. In exchange for a generous donation, volunteers Steph and Hannah prepared themselves for the physical challenge that the Nuffield Health team had set them. Our gutsy girls grappled with gruelling press ups on the pitch and raced valiantly against the Mighty Quins Mascot, to many cheers of encouragement. Partners in crime Tom and Eileen pounded the grounds determined to collect the most.
The second half started with Harlequins driving forward confidently. The game then burst into life in the closing stages when the Exiles crossed for their one-and-only try. Homer converted to put Irish 19-16 ahead with time running out, but Clegg hauled Quins level with a penalty on 77 minutes.
Lindsay-Hague then came up trumps at the death, the replacement touching down in injury time to seal a remarkable win for the host. The crowds exploded as the Harlequins won 26 - 19 London Irish. In high spirits the fans dug deep giving again and many fans left with multiple badges of honour (CAIRN stickers).
Special thanks to Sarah Butler who not only supported CAIRN before the game but also arranged for the youngest members of our team to hand over their buckets for a moment and rub shoulders with the winning players Sam Smith and Seb Stegmann. Finishing on a high the boys made the most of their personally signed rugby balls as they attempted to score their own trys.
The day's collection was a roaring success raising a record breaking £1,500 with all funds going directly towards the David Hill appeal for the construction of a School in Nepal. David is fundraising in memory of his father, an ex British Ghurkha who wanted to give back to the children of a country he dearly loved.
Our fantastic team of eclectic volunteers were the real stars of the day and CAIRN cannot thank them enough for all their game and gusto.
A huge thank you to: Willie Bicket, Debs Caen, Charska Collins, Tanya Dawson, Hannah Ford, Stephanie Gordon, David Hill, Olly Jenkins, Evan Langmuir, Rafael Mauricio Morales, Eileen and Tom Riley, Fenella Spendlove, George Thomas, Fenella Spendlove and Jo Winder.
Click here to find out more about the Harlequins.
