Bath Rugby Foundation works with children and young adults from disadvantaged backgrounds. The Bath and surrounding  area suffers from some of the worst inequality for families and children. The Foundation gives hope to these youngsters, inspiring them to lead independent lives. It operates community hubs and provides much needed food parcels and pre-cooked meals. Children with special needs and disabilities are given the chance to access sport, socials and fun in a safe environment.

This is just some of the work undertaken by the Foundation.

The Pandemic has simply worsened the conditions for all these young people and pre Pandemic there were already more than 8000 registered vulnerable young people across the region.

We can help, and Bath Rugby Foundation is at the centre of this opportunity. I have come back to Bath after 30 years away. I owe so much to this City both on and off a rugby field.

This is why I am running my last ever Half Marathon, for young disadvantaged people who deserve a better chance. 

 Despite running with a fused ankle from that injury so many years ago, I am targeting 2hrs 30 mins or better so please give me some incentives but most of all please give generously! See below a brief set of memories from the amazing times I had with this incredible club.

A Man from Bath

In 1979, I was selected for a Bath trial team aged 18 but as a No 8 and as an afterthought. I slunk away from the Rec fully intending never to return.

Three years later I found myself back at Bath in the centre after some formative years at Oxford University and four overseas tours - USA, Japan,Italy, Rumania, also a little older and wiser.

What a time to be a Bath rugby player. The piratical captaincy of Roger Spurrell, hard nosed glamour of Simon Jones and latent threat of a marauding Gareth Chilcott allied to the silky skills of the two Johns, Horton and Palmer. Oh and a hard drinking/smoking near Olympic sprinter called David Trick. Ball in space, try time. And that’s before the rest of them turned up.

My ill timed ankle dislocation in 1983 cost me my full England debut for two years and almost my career. Simon Jones kept me company that dark evening as I was transported to the Royal United Hospital from Bridgwater, even held me down as they struggled to anaesthetise me before the inevitable operation. That’s a team mate. Two weeks or more in trauma then general wards, depression reigned as I contemplated a life without rugby and many other things beside.

What support from Bath, the team manager David Lamb made me part of his family for 6 months as I underwent further operations towards recovery. John Downey, businessman and lifelong Bath supporter, offered me a desk possibly leading to a job when frankly I didn’t deserve it. Another Bath supporter found me a property near the ground where I could live for a peppercorn rent.The Physios treated me daily for months on end and I was always welcome in the city wherever I went - slowly. Players kept in touch and occasionally a press man wondered if I would ever play again.

The hard yards back to fitness were lonely but I was always part of the Bath family. How difficult it was to regain my place, John Bamsey, Alun Rees both played brilliantly to keep me at bay with John Palmer in his prime and a certain Jerry Guscott being talked about. Should I stay or should I go? No one leaves Bath Rugby ……..

Eventually, it all happened for me, but any International recognition came with the Bath stamp of approval - don’t bring your bad England habits to the Rec please was often the cry. Meantime Bath won everything, in Wales and England. All comers in league and cup fell to mighty Bath. But we were always a family, never taking it for granted but taking every defeat personally.

23 Caps for England, two Grand Slams and a World Cup Final, but always knowing that Bath made it possible.

I left in 1990 for the dreaded Harlequins and for some it was too much to take but I have always said my heart and soul was firmly Bath.

Now I am back, living in Swainswick, a little too close to my old training ground. I have spent time in Alice Park and a Petanque player stopped me while on a slow jog - aren’t you Simon Halliday? I used to watch you play but you were a lot faster then. I certainly hope so!

In 2006, I ran my first Bath Half Marathon after my ankle was fused simply to prove that I could, with the help of a dozen or more Internationals for an incredible charity called Cardiac Ricsk in the Young (CRY).This year I will run my last, some 16 years later and nearly 40 years after the initial injury, to prove that I still can. But more importantly for the Bath Rugby Foundation. For children in this region who are not getting the chance they deserve. Too many struggling youngsters in full view and it is not acceptable. The Foundation does much more besides and I want to raise awareness as well as funds - significant monies. It is the least I can do as someone who owes so much to the City and it’s people.

Simon

(Hallers, Bath Rugby, 1982-90)

The Pacemakers part of the team is made up, so far, by:

Jeff Blackett

Mark Jackson

Simon Halliday