Warsaw pact as Dalziel Rugby Club members walk, run and cycle for charity

Dalziel Rugby Club players, coaches and members are walking, running and cycling a combined total of 4525km – double the distance from their home ground in Motherwell to Warsaw, the home of the Warsaw Rugby Tournament – to raise money for good causes.
By Craig Goldthorp
Published 20th May 2020, 14:41 GMT
Updated 20th May 2020, 14:42 GMT
Callum Croughan takes a lineout for Dalziel in a game against Helensburgh earlier this seasonCallum Croughan takes a lineout for Dalziel in a game against Helensburgh earlier this season
Callum Croughan takes a lineout for Dalziel in a game against Helensburgh earlier this season

Since 2004, a team from Dalziel has travelled to Warsaw to take part in the annual Warsaw Rugby Festival and the 2020 staging of this event was due to take place from this Friday to Sunday, May 22 to 24.

Although the ongoing Covid-19 crisis means that it has understandably been cancelled, Dalziel RFC communications officer Elaine Neilson revealed a replacement event continues to take place instead.

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She told the Times and Speaker: “We want to celebrate the strong links and friendships that have been built over the years between tournament hosts, Warsaw Frogs and Co and Dalziel Rugby Club.

“We know charities’ fundraising abilities are hugely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and wanted to do something to help our partner, Beatson Cancer Charity and Frogs’ chosen charity Prometeusz Dla Seniorów who provide assistance and advice to the elderly in Poland.

“Over the past few weeks we have been running weekly team challenges to encourage players to stay active during the rugby shutdown, within social distancing guidelines.

“As the combined team distances increased week by week we wanted to set ourselves a significant challenge.

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“Our social convenor Jamie Muir suggested travelling the equivalent distance from Motherwell to Warsaw in seven days.”

But this distance – 2253km – was quickly reached – so organisers swiftly suggested completing a combined 4525km instead and also trying to raise this amount for charity.

“Originally the idea was just to make the distance just to Warsaw,” Elaine added. “But so many people have got involved we’ve been able to extend it.

“Everyone’s been really, really enthusiastic.

“The Beatson is close to a lot of people’s hearts and a lot of people have experience through either personal or through families using the Beatson.

“I think that’s why we got so many people involved.

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“We’ve pushed it through our club members, so we’ve ended up with kids from our primary one team right the way up to seniors, including over 100 individuals and families.”

Support this worthy cause – for which the target is £4525 – at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/dalziel-to-warsaw

Dalziel run three senior teams, youth sides from under-13 to under-18 and mixed mini teams from Primary 1 to Primary 7.

For more information, visit www.dalzielrugby.com or contact Elaine Neilson on 07407 479429.