Many of us are celebrating privately in our own homes the recent confirmation by the RFU that Blaydon RFC has been promoted from the Northern Premier League to National 2 North, effectively f the 5th level of national rugby to the 4th level.

Such celebrations however must wait as the Club faces a far more significant immediate challenge - survival.

The disaster of Covid 19 has bought dire consequences to all manner of organisations and there is a real danger that our Club will not survive unless we all work together to raise the funds that are needed to see us through this period of inactivity.

Like all businesses Blaydon survives by ensuring its annual income at least equals its expenditure. Our main sources of income are through the weekly car boot sales, outside hire functions such as circuses and events, the bar and associated functions. All of these sources have ceased for the foreseeable future and yet our overheads, although reduced, continue. We have a considerable number of monthly outgoings and borrowings to continue to pay . We have operated for many years now with overdraft facilities but no cash reserves. If this continues we will take years to recover if at all in the immediate short term.

We’re refinancing the club, Possible funds/loans that have been publicised as available by the RFU and Durham County Rugby Union, and are being applied for, and we have taken steps to minimise our expenditure including furloughing our staff to protect their employment.

Blaydon Rugby Club is close to many of us. Hundreds of past players have benefitted from camaraderie and playing experience over the years, and today we continue to provide facilities for our very successful boys and girls youth teams, adult playing and social membership. It would be disastrous if this were unable to continue.

It is for this reason, in these exceptional times, that we are appealing to all of you, as we establish an Appeal Fund to get us through the next few months. Whilst other Clubs have launched similar appeals we have thought long and hard before doing this as we are aware that these are difficult times for so many of you and there are many organisations appealing for money at this time.

However this is YOUR club and perhaps think of the enjoyment you have had over the years or more recently in being associated with Blaydon RFC

We’re hoping to achieve an initial target of £15,000 and realise it depends on your personal circumstances to how much you could donate. A donation of any size would help at this time and this can be done by:

• Via a Just Giving page https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/blaydonrugbyappeal

• Online payment, mail us at contact@blayodnrfc.co.uk and we’ll provide bank details.

Any who can help, by providing a donation of £500 or over will be granted life membership to Blaydon RFC or a season ticket to attend 1st team League matches for the next 5 seasons

If we are successful with applications to government or RFU funding, any money donated to the club not used to cover the day to day operation of the club at this time, will be put towards club and grounds improvements.

Please circulate this message to as many friends and potential sponsors who may be able to help as possible. A regular update on funds received will be provided on our web site and through social media

Come on - you CAN do it

On behalf of Blaydon RFC,

Bill Locke – President

Bruce Costello – Chairman of Executive