Rugby ball brings in the cash for Diamond Appeal

9:14am Saturday 5th July 2008

A RUGBY club is celebrating a fundraising success after a dinner and ball to celebrate its 60th anniversary pulled in at least £11,000.

More than 250 people - including players, members and sponsors - attended the black-tie function at Oakley Hall, Oakley, which was part of a series of special events to mark Basingstoke Rugby Football Club's diamond anniversary year.

An auction, grand draw and a silent auction all pulled in the pounds. And, as well as enjoying an excellent meal, the guests who packed the event marquee were entertained by The Singing Waiters and were able to dance the night away to music provided by the band Contrast.

For those who wanted a less energetic way to end the night, there was the opportunity to play on casino tables.

Club chairman Dr Steve Tristram said: "It was very successful - a very good evening. There are a lot of people who have been members of the club for over 50 years, and this event brought together many who haven't seen each other for ages. That was a nice thing, seeing all those reunions going on."

Gazette Newspapers editor Mark Jones was MC for the evening and former England and Hampshire cricketer Shaun Udal, who now plays for Middlesex, took the role of auctioneer for the main auction, which was the primary source of the fundraising.

Dr Tristram said the biggest-earning lots included £1,200 that was bid for a two-hour stint for two in a Chinook helicopter simulator at RAF Benson, and £1,700 that was paid for a week in a luxury apartment at Lake Como, Italy.

Rugby-related lots were also popular, with £1,100 being paid for four people to have dinner with England rugby star Tom Rees and another top player at St John restaurant, in Odiham, and £1,100 forked out for match tickets and lunch for two at the England v Australia game at Twickenham in November - a prize that will be hosted by Rugby Football Union past president LeRoy Angel.

Dr Tristram said the money raised from the event, which exceeded the £10,000 target by at least £1,000, will be used to complete the seating in the recently-built stand. During its anniversary year, the club is seeking to raise £50,000 through the 'Stoke Diamond Appeal to improve facilities at its Down Grange base, and any other money left over after the seating project is completed will go into the appeal kitty.

<•>The next stage of the club's anniversary celebrations takes place this weekend with a series of events at its Down Grange home.

The Diamond Jubilee Family Weekend started yesterday, with events taking place across three days.

The fun began with the opening of a beer festival yesterday. Ale lovers can their hands on a wide range of brews at the festival, which will be open throughout the weekend.

A vintage vehicle rally and car boot fayre will run from noon until 5pm today and Sunday, with an Elvis impersonator and disco continuing the entertainment tonight.

Numerous stalls and fairground rides will be open on Sunday - and a highlight of the weekend will undoubtedly be the annual donkey derby, which will take place from 1pm on Sunday.

For more details, log on to www.basingstokerfc.com