RUGBY CLUB RUN

🏉 Welcome to the Sale Sharks Foundation Rugby Club Run! 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🦈

We’re embarking on an incredible 8-day, 90+ mile relay run connecting local rugby clubs, raising awareness for grassroots rugby, and mental health. From September 15th to September 22nd, 2024, dedicated club supporters and staff from the Sale Sharks Foundation will be running with passion, dedication, and a Sale Sharks Rugby Ball, visiting rugby clubs across Greater Manchester, with one goal in mind: raising vital funds to support our grassroots rugby development program and our HEADSTART Program which is a free to access physical activity project designed to promote positive mental health.

**Anyone making an online donation will be in the draw for a limited edition player signed Sale Sharks Foundation Kit 👕🏉 Draw is to take place Wednesday 25/09

***This is not a mass participation event, nor can anyone join to enter. This is a personal challenge created by some of the fans and the Sale Sharks Foundation.

✨ The Story Behind the Run ✨

This is more than just a run. It’s the story of fans, communities, and the power of sport. One of our Foundation’s supporters, a lifelong Sale Sharks fan, helped turn his neighbor's life around through rugby and running. This inspiring journey has now paved the way for this unique event, where our fans and staff come together to visit rugby clubs, share their love for the game, and encourage others to support our mission. This dynamic duo is David Blyth and Chris Randall.

David Blyth: "My name is David I’m a 42 year old father of 4 from Manchester. I have 3 children with autism and suffer from depression. My friend Chris introduced me to running and rugby to get me out the house and improve my mental health. It has improved my mental health and made me feel involved in something positive. I have inturn introduced me youngest son to rugby, which provides some much needed respite for him from his autistic siblings. We are now both Sharks season ticket holders."

Chris Randall: "My name is Chris and I'm a Father of 6 (including 2 adopted) who believes in the power of family, love, and giving back. Passionate about rugby and sharing that love with my kids. Committed to helping others, especially in the realm of mental health, because everyone deserves to feel supported and heard."

The Rugby Club Run is relay-style and visits 8 rugby clubs, all part of the Sale Sharks Foundation’s grassroots rugby development program. The ultimate goal? To connect communities and raise awareness of mental health and grassroots Rugby.

🏆 Why We’re Running 🏆

The Sale Sharks Foundation is passionate about fostering grassroots rugby talent in local communities. Your donations will go toward:

• Supporting grassroots rugby development at local clubs across the region.
• Nurturing young talent and offering them a platform to achieve their potential in rugby.
• Helping both the Foundation and the participating rugby clubs continue their vital work.
• Promoting Positive Mental Health: help people boost mental well-being and create a supportive environment where everyone can thrive.
• Support When You Need It: There's always someone at the Sale Sharks Foundation you can turn to for a chat or guidance. We’re here to listen, support, and help those facing challenges.

📍 The Route 🗺️🦈

Our journey covers over 90 miles and starts from Salford Community Stadium and stops at 8 incredible rugby clubs along the way. Each day, a dedicated team of runners will take on a different leg of the relay, carrying the Foundation Sale Sharks Rugby Ball from one checkpoint to the next:

• Day 1 (Sunday - September 15th) start 12:00: Salford Community Stadium → Aldwinians Rugby Club 2nd leg start 15:30: Aldwinians Rugby Club → Manchester Rugby Club
• Day 2 (Monday - September 16th) start 18:00: Manchester Rugby Club → Wilmslow Rugby Club
• Day 3 (Tuesday - September 17th) start 18:00: Wilmslow Rugby Club → Macclesfield Rugby Club
• Day 4 (Wednesday - September 18th) start 18:00: Macclesfield Rugby Club → Knutsford Rugby Club
• Day 5 (Thursday - September 19th) start 18:00: Knutsford Rugby Club → Lymm Rugby Club
• Day 6 (Friday - September 20th) start 18:00 : Lymm Rugby Club → Liverpool St Helens Rugby Club
• Day 7 (Saturday - September 21st) start 14:00: Liverpool St Helens Rugby Club → Bolton Rugby Club
• Day 8 (Sunday - September 22nd) start 11:00: Bolton Rugby Club → Salford Community Stadium

Each club will welcome our runners with open arms, and on the last day, we will arrive back at Salford Community Stadium just in time for our first home match of the 2024/2025 season!

Our ambition is to make the Sale Sharks Foundation Rugby Club Run an annual event and keep on adding more clubs onto the route. The overall end game is to reach all 100 clubs the Sale Sharks work with throughout the Northwest.

🤝 How You Can Help 🤝

This event isn’t just about running—it’s about community support and coming together to create change. Here's how your donation can make a difference:

• £10: Provides essential equipment for a young player starting their rugby journey.
• £25: Funds a coaching session for aspiring rugby stars at a local club.
• £50: Supports a rugby club's development program for an entire week.
• £100: Sponsors a young athlete's participation in a grassroots rugby tournament.
• £500 or more: Makes a significant impact by contributing to the development of a new generation of rugby talent.

No matter the amount, every donation counts, and 50% of the funds raised will be shared among the participating rugby clubs to help them continue their fantastic work. The other 50% will support the Sale Sharks Foundation’s ongoing programs.

🏅 Our Running Team 🏅

Our team of runners includes Sale Sharks fans and Sale Sharks Foundation staff members, who will be carrying the Sale Sharks Rugby Ball on this exciting journey. Each leg of the run will be accompanied by a member of the local rugby club, further strengthening the ties between the Sale Sharks Foundation and the clubs we serve.

Every one of these runners has their own unique story and connection to rugby, from overcoming personal challenges to fostering the love of the sport in others.

📣 Spread the Word 📣

You don’t have to run to be part of this journey! Share the Rugby Club Run with your friends, family, and rugby fans across the world. Together, we can amplify our message and raise even more for these vital causes.

Follow our progress on social media with daily updates, photos, and videos from the route. And don’t forget to cheer on the runners as they pass through your local rugby club!
📸 Tag us in your photos with #RugbyClubRun and follow the live journey on our social media channels:

• Instagram: @SaleSharksFoundation
• X: @SaleSharksFDN
• Facebook: Sale Sharks Foundation

🏟️ Final Day: The Big Finish 🏟️

On September 22nd, our runners will return to Salford Community Stadium just in time for the Sale Sharks’ first home game of the season against Harlequins. Join us in the stands as we celebrate the successful completion of the Rugby Club Run and show our appreciation for everyone involved in this epic journey. The runners will be recognized in front of thousands of fans, and the rugby ball will symbolically unite the fans, clubs, and players.

🌟 Thank You for Your Support! 🌟

We couldn't do this without the incredible generosity of people like you. Your donation, no matter the size, will go a long way in helping us nurture the next generation of rugby talent. Together, we can build stronger communities, ensure a bright future for grassroots rugby, and be there for people when they need it the most.