Help for Heroes (H4H) Match
Season 2008-2009

Rugby elites help our heroes
Help for Heros XV (29) v International XV (10)
Twickenham - 20 Sept 2008

Reporter/Photographer: Roger Thompson

Prince Charles and Camilla Duchess of Cornwall joined rugby's elite and 52,254 rugby supporters to raise £1.1 million in aid of injured Servicemen. Six of England's World Cup winning team played including skipper Martin Johnson.

Mark Souster rugby correspondent of the Times newspaper, whose idea it was, said "The special relationship between the Armed Forces, rugby, and my position as a sports writer convinced me that rugby was the answer. What better than a match at Twickenham?

With some trepidation the highly respected Souster took his proposal to Paul Vaughan, the business operations director at Twickenham. The RFU immediately threw open Twickenham's gates for 20th September.

With some trepidation the highly respected Souster took his proposal to Paul Vaughan, the business operations director at Twickenham. The RFU immediately threw open Twickenham's gates for 20th September.

No one took the challenge more seriously than the former England captain and Rugby World Cup winner Lawrence Dallaglio. 'Lol' not only agreed to come out of retirement and help organize the event but volunteered to captain one of the teams. "I was very happy with the way my career finished last May, but this was unique, a great opportunity for me to do something special"

Lawrence Dallaglio who drove on and off the pitch

World Cup skipper Martin Johnson was quickly brought onside and as always England team mate and World Cup winner Richard Hill was right on his shoulder.

The rugby was remarkable. Full on, skilful and enterprising. It was billed a Charity match but, Gordon Bennett, was so intense one player had to be sin binned to cool things down. Those close enough even saw a bit of a 'nudge' between two internationals that said "I owed you that" from a couple of years back.

And yet the game in all its phases flowed magnificently. It was 'Mamma Mia-here we go again' ! The sight of England's Jason Robinson and Will Greenwood at full throttle had the crowd on its feet. Greenwood glided through the tightest of corners with his brain ten seconds ahead of the action whilst Robinson, who scored that try in the Sydney World Cup, jitterbugged to bring the very best of memories flooding back.

Army players were up there with the very best . Joe Kava (RLC) does not look for gaps - he carves them out whilst Rob Sugden (Coldm Gds) reigned supreme in the line-out. Mal Roberts (RLC) slipped through openings and produced the finest try saving tackle of the day. Army skipper Mark Lee (ALS -hiss) ensured nothing untoward occurred on his side of the scrum.

For the record the 'Heroes' XV beat the International XV by 29pts-10 but who cares. The rugby was vigorous and both sides drew massive applause from the identical sections of the crowd. Supporters far from keen to disperse after the final whistle migrated to the bars and the car parks to relive the magic moments. It was that sort of game.

It is too early to say what precise damage the 52,243 spectators did to their pockets but it is certain that the £1.1 million raised will aid 'HELP THE HEROES' work in support of Selly Oak and Headley Court.

If you want to help read more at www.helpforheroes.org.uk

Help for Heroes match exceeds expectations - Read RFU Match report

Posted: 26 Sep 08

ARU Ladies at the H4H Match, Twickenham - 20 Sep 08

Izzy Camfield, Heidi Russett, Kimberley Fowke, Kim Camfield
Joe Kava

Britain's highest award goes to World Rugby Museum

Victoria Crosses from the world’s largest private collection will this week be on display at Twickenham Stadium’s World Rugby Museum.

The loan, made by Lord Ashcroft from his unique collection, co-incides with the Help for Heroes charity match at Twickenham Stadium this Saturday September 20, to raise £1m for injured British forces personnel serving in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Michael Rowe, the Museum’s curator enthused, “Victoria Crosses are the supreme recognition for valour and as such are very rare. Lord Ashcroft’s collection is by far the largest in the world, including more than one-tenth of the medals conferred, and spans 128 years from three services – Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.”

The medals include the Victoria Cross awarded to former Welsh Rugby Union President, Sir Tasker Watkins, for his services during the Second World War and will be displayed in the Timeline Section at the Museum from September 16 to 21.

Museum Marketing Manager Jane Barron added, “Lord Ashcroft’s loan represents some of the most cherished medals from his entire collection and this is a fantastic opportunity for the public to come to the Museum to admire them.”

The display is open to the public from Tuesday September 16 – Friday September 19 at Twickenham Stadium’s World Rugby Museum, home to one of the world’s largest collections of rugby memorabilia. Open from 10am to 5pm, admission costs £5 for adults (or £3 on match days) and £3 for children and includes a donation to the Help for Heroes charity.

Further information relating to the Victoria Cross and the collection can be found at www.victoriacrossheroes.com. For up-to-date information on Twickenham Stadium’s World Rugby Museum visit at www.rfu.com/microsites/museum/ or call 020 8892 8877.

For more about the VC try:
Wikipedia - VCs
Sapper VCs
VCs at the IWM

Posted: 16 Sep 08

Mark Souster 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." at www.ticketmaster.co.uk or telephone: 0870 902 0000.

Writers note: Help for Heroes is a Company, limited by Guarantee and registered in England and Wales no: 6363256 Registered Charity No.1120920

Posted: 18 Jul 08