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IRFU CHARITABLE TRUST
It is a sad fact of everyday life that people suffer personal injuries through
accidents in their homes, workplace, on our streets and roads and also in
the pursuit of leisure activities and sports.
IRFU CHARITABLE TRUST
In this regard, rugby is no different from any other
contact sport and unfortunately player injuries
occur from time to time. Such injuries can be
of a very serious nature, resulting in permanent
disability in some cases.
The Irish Rugby Football Union Charitable Trust
was formed in 1978 to assist severely injured rugby
players in their everyday lives, and to help to restore
their confidence and independence.
There are currently
33 seriously injured players,
13 in Ulster
, registered with the Charitable Trust in
Ireland, most of whom are wheelchair bound and
have some form of permanent paralysis.
The support provided by the Trust takes many
forms and includes financial assistance for
medical, nursing and caring expenses, home
alterations, education and training costs, provision
of wheelchairs and specialised equipment,
together with motor vehicles and vehicle
conversion costs. The Trust also maintains regular
contact with each injured player and their families.
The annual cost of financial support provided by
the Trust is appoximately £250,000. This is partly
funded by direct grants from the IRFU along with
various fundraising campaigns and donations.
For the past five years, the Ulster Branch has
supported the Trust by encouraging clubs and
schools to participate during ‘Charitable Trust
Week’ on which they may chose to organise some
form of fundraising activity. The response by both
clubs and schools has been excellent.
‘Charitable Trust Week’ is not simply to raise funds
for the benefit of our injured players, but also to
raise awareness of the role that the Trust plays in
Ulster and Irish rugby.
How can you help? Individuals can assist
through membership of the Trust’s supporters
club known as the ‘Friends of the Charitable
Trust’, whilst clubs can also assist by
supporting the Charitable Trust Club Scheme
If you would like to support our injured players,
please contact Trust committee member John
Doherty (Phone 028 9145 6606), who will be
pleased to provide you with further details.
A BUCKET COLLECTIONWILL TAKE
PLACE AT ULSTER’S NEXT HOME
GAME V SCARLETS ON SUNDAY
21ST FEBRUARY.
PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY.
“The support and friendship
provided by the IRFU
Charitable Trust, both in
terms of financial assistance
to help my quality of life, and
also, just as importantly, the
physcological support of the
friendships formed, has been
immeasurable to both my
family and myself in the
29 years since my injury.”
Michael Scott