We’ve been fortunate, especially over the last year, to be recipients of many donations. People have walked, climbed, rattled buckets, auctioned jerseys, whacked golf balls, sold whisky and played numerous games of rugby to raise funds to enable Hearts and Balls to continue to help rugby to help its own.
But where does the money go? You may have read the recent Blog on our web site – and watched the reel – to see we were able to finance 32 AED defibrillators to be installed at rugby clubs across Scotland in a joint initiative with Scottish Rugby, many of these units are also accessible to the wider communities.
Last year we gave grants to two rugby clubs to ease access for disabled members at Corstorphine & Kelso RFC, where we partly funded lifts to take users from the ground floor to the upper lounges.
Then Dr David Millar, who suffered a life-altering spinal cord injury on the pitch over 30 years ago, was recently recipient of a power-assisted hand cycle, financed by donations to Hearts and Balls.
“The good thing for me, going from the non-powered hand bike that I used to use to a power assisted one is that I get to access places I wouldn’t otherwise be able to go because, unpowered, the terrain has to be very flat and not too windy,” he explains.
In the past, David has raised significant funds through his own pursuits for our charity and he hopes to put the new cycle through its paces soon by tackling a Hebridean Challenge this year to raise further money.
One of our Ambassadors, ex Lismore RFC player Struan Kerr-Liddell – whose spinal injury while playing rugby sparked the charity which evolved into Hearts and Balls. We were able to help supply a car with a lift to enable wheelchair access with his two small children. “The assistance I’ve received through Hearts and Balls has helped me prove that I can still live a pretty regular life.”
Provision of an off-road power chair for Connor Hughes after a spinal injury on the pitch left him without movement below his armpits – have eased life for him since his accident.
“Hearts and Balls has made a huge difference to my life over the last decade,” he says. “Without them, I wouldn’t have half the kit I use on a daily basis – whether that’s for leisure or, as with my power chair, something I need every day to get out.’
These are just some of the many lives eased and enriched by the money raised by Hearts and Balls – every donation is gratefully received and all funding requests managed by our dedicated Board. We also help to fund holidays & respite where needed.
Our charity welcomes sudden requests for immediate assistance by an individual or family and we also work closely with the Murrayfield Injured Players Foundation when making funding decisions.
If you would like to help us continue to help rugby to help its own – either by embarking on your own challenge, making a donation or leaving a gift in your will – please contact us at [email protected]
