BASINGSTOKE-BASED firm Eli Lilly and Company have agreed to provide Basingstoke RFC's community project with £40,000 of funding over two years.

'Stoke employ a community rugby coach, who is responsible for delivering coaching programmes to schools across north Hampshire, and pharmaceuticals company Lilly has stepped in to provide £20,000-a-year towards the cost of this.

Andrew Hotchkiss, managing director of Eli Lilly, said that the company decided to support the programme because it benefits the local community as a whole.

"We are supporting the community programme because of the work it does in schools to help children get involved in sport," he said.

"Part of our company value and ethos is getting involved in the community. We had a number of requests for funding but we chose this one because it is community-based.

"A large number of our employees live in the local area and this is a way of us putting something back.

"This coincides with the 60th anniversary of the club and it is a significant moment for the club. We hope that our contribution can help spring the club to greater success in the future and get more people involved."

As part of the deal, the community rugby coach will be given clothes with Lilly branding.

Dr Steve Tristram, chairman of the club, sees the community programme as a vital part of the club and is delighted with the deal with Lilly.

"We are very pleased to have secured this sponsorship and cannot thank Lilly enough," he said.

"Along with grants we receive from the RFU and Hampshire Rugby, it will help us keep going in our drive to coach youngsters from across the area."