MEMBERS of Basingstoke RFC have given the green light for the club to apply for charity status, which it is hoped will help raise money for the All Change 4 ’Stoke campaign.

The plan was approved at an extraordinary general meeting – and chairman Steve Tristram thinks it could make a big difference as the club look to raise £1.2million for their project to improve the clubhouse.

It is hoped that the majority of the costs will be covered by educational grants – but the club will still have to raise at least £100,000.

“It is the right decision for the club if we are going to push on with the development plan,” Tristram said. “It should enable us to maximise donations and we might be able to claim VAT back on parts of the building project.

“It could also open the door to new sorts of revenue as companies prefer giving money to charities.”

Having got the backing of the members, the club must now go about applying for charity status. This means making steps such as appointing outside trustees and the application must be made by the middle of this month, with a decision expected in four or five months.

The plans to modernise facilities at Down Grange are not yet finalised but the club hopes to extend the existing building, improve its appearance and add a second storey.

It is hoped that improved changing areas, with extra shower blocks to cater for female players and officials, a gym, and a treatment area including a massage room, steam room and spa bath will all be included.

The upstairs space has been earmarked for three classrooms, which can be turned into a large events room when needed, as Basingstoke College of Technology is looking to use the facilities for their sports courses during the week.

Planning permission for the scheme has yet to be secured, but the club has been working with the local residents’ association and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, which is also looking at changing the access to the site, avoiding Coniston Road.

The club held an open day to showcase their ideas and Tristram says that the response to the plans has been positive.

“I think people are quite excited,” he said. “The open day went quite well, with a good turnout and no negative comments.

“There are problems with parking, which I understand and sympathise with – and hopefully the council’s plans will go some way to solving this.

“The plans we have are very much a conception. Now we know that they have been generally accepted we have got a building group and are looking to make them much more practical as we need more storage and office facilities than are currently included.”