By teaming up with the learning disability charity for 14/15, Ulster Rugby is supporting Mencap’s Big Step Forward Appeal, which aims to raise at least £1.7m locally to build, equip and run its new Children and Families’ centre to be built in Newtownbreda.

At the heart of the new centre, which will open in early 2016, will be Mencap’s relocated Segal House Nursery. Ulster Rugby's target is to reach £34,000  to fund a soft-play area within the nursery.  

As part of that effort, an Ulster Rugby staff team is running the Belfast City Marathon. They are training hard and are being put through their paces by Ulster and Ireland winger, Andrew Trimble.

He says: “Usually it is me working on my fitness and having to do the hard-yards, so it is nice to be training other people for a change!

“Many of the players have seen the amazing work that Mencap do and whether it is running the marathon, dressing up or giving a donation, I would encourage all Ulster fans to give what they can and to help the ‘Big Step Forward’ appeal”.

Ulster Rugby Staff Team

Fiona Hampton - Head of Sales & Marketing; Phillip Polack - Buisness Development Manager; Sara-Louise Bowman - Marketing & PR Executive, Richard Finlay - Communications Officer; Neil Brittain - Communications Manager.