News

The Cumbria Flood Recovery Appeal supported by Mark Cueto and Sale Sharks

Cueto prompts Rugby Football Union President & clubs to support Cumbrian Flood Victims

Thursday, November 26th 2009

Rugby Football Union President John Owen has applauded Mark Cueto’s idea of holding a bucket collection at tomorrow nights game and asks Rugby Union clubs across the country to do the same at their games this weekend in aid of the victims of the flooding in Cumbria.

Owen stated, "I noticed that England wing Mark Cueto, a Workington lad, has instigated a collection at the next Sale Sharks game [against London Wasps at Edgeley Park this Friday 27th November, kick off 7.45pm], and I think we should replicate that initiative across the whole game”.

The Chairman of the Cumbria RFU as well as the President of the Union who lives on the higher ground at Shap, Owen is still close to the devastation that has been visited upon communities like Cockermouth and Workington and in his role as the figurehead of one of England's major sports, he has urged clubs to back his appeal.

"It will be a while before the after-effects of this crisis have passed and before then, families and communities will need all the help we can give them to get through."

"There is so much to be done now in terms of getting the transport system working again and the general clean-up operation, but for individual families there will be real day-to-day issues that the rugby community across the country can help with by making a donation.

Owen added, "We have the power to offer tangible support for people who are suffering and as a Cumbrian who can see at first hand what has been inflicted upon my community, I urge clubs to respond and help the people in this neck of the woods who are really struggling."

Donations/cheques made payable to the 'Cumbria Community Foundation', with 'Cumbria Flood Recovery Fund' written on the reverse side, should be sent to:

The Cumbria Community Foundation, Dovenby Hall, Cockermouth CA13 0PN.

Alternatively, Sale Sharks’ Jets and members of the Supporters Club will be collecting donations at Sale Sharks’ big match against London Waps at Edgeley park this Friday 27th November, kick off 7.45PM. Hopefully we can send a sizeable cheque to the flood victims straight after the game on Friday night!