Twickenham Stadium will host a challenge rugby union match featuring rugby stars from around the world aimed at raising over £1m for the Joint Services Rehabilitation Centre at Headley Court, Leatherhead, Surrey, which cares for armed services men and women injured in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The match, to be played at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday, September 20th will feature two teams, a Help for Heroes XV and an International Select XV who will play a challenge match at the home of English rugby. (Kick off time tbc).
Former England Captains, Phil de Glanville (ex-Bath Rugby) and Lawrence Dallaglio (ex-London Wasps) will act as Team Manager and Non-Playing Captain respectively for the Help 4 Heroes XV with Welsh Rugby legends, Ieuan Evans and Scott Gibbs filling the same roles for the International Select XV.
The teams, which will be announced in due course, are expected to include a composite of players from the Guinness Premiership, National Division One, the Magners League, overseas stars and the armed forces.
The idea for the fund raising game belongs to Mark Souster a journalist for The Times who said “I’m sure there are millions of people like myself who feel that we owe a huge debt to the brave service men and women who serve in areas of conflict like Iraq and Afghanistan.
“Injuries and death are an inevitable but very sad fact of war and it is essential that those who are hurt are given the best possible care and rehabilitation. The medical staff at Headley Court already do a fantastic job and the revenues raised from the game will help them provide even better facilities and care for injured troops and military staff.”
Help for Heroes was started in October 2007 by the cartoonist Bryn Parry and friends who wanted to do something special for the men and women of our Armed Forces.
Bryn Parry said “It’s fantastic news that the RFU is getting behind Help for Heroes and hosting what will be a very competitive and challenging game of rugby. We have the support of the RFU, the WRU and the other Home Unions, PRL, the PRA, Celtic League, NIKE and of course the Armed Forces and we are grateful to all of them.”
RFU Business Operations Director Paul Vaughan said “We’re honoured to be hosting the game and all the revenues will go to Headley Court.
“This is a great opportunity for the whole Rugby family to get together and demonstrate its support for our Armed Services personnel who are doing such a great but dangerous job. We are pleased to donate Twickenham and our management support for free and our aim is to hit the £1m target. I’m delighted to announce that we have already secured the support of Investec as the first of our intended six commercial partners who will underwrite the costs of the game.
“Tickets for the game have been priced very competitively with prices ranging from £30 and £20 for adults and £15 and £10 for U’16’s and they are available now from *Ticketmaster.”
