Over the last 12 months we have raised more than £40,000 in a variety of ways, from people running marathons, to their own Barnes RFC Come Dine With Me experience, and of course the generosity of members from across the whole club. Last Saturday we set about building an outside gym, activity centre and trim trail around the BEST (Barn Elms Sports Trust) pitches opposite our clubhouse where the Mins train each Saturday in the season.

No fewer than 60 people from throughout the club rolled up their sleeves and, under the watchful eyes of a team from the brilliant Fusion Community Initiatives (all ex-military personnel) as well as our own Commander-In-Chief, Adam Libbey.
"Libs", as he is affectionately known, was also the mastermind behind the Big Lift which you may all remember raised over £160,000 for the NHS in memory of Garry Garrett, the dad of Jack, one of our 1st XV players. He is one of a kind.

It was like one of those TV programmes where a huge team turns an environment around within 24-hours and the workers are rewarded at the end with a well-earned celebratory drink and barbie, which was powered by the king of the tongs, Ian "Bubba" McBride)

I personally think that there was a bit of charity fatigue after the pandemic, but over this last year I have been delighted with the efforts of so many Barnes rugby folks that made this happen. Once again the club has dug deep and, in particular, the support from our Minis and Juniors section has been spectacular.

Last Saturday it all came together as members of the club put in a full day of hard graft to saw, dig and build to get the job done. We were even joined by a local man who was just walking past, and was so inspired he picked up a shovel and helped out for 6 hours- that was a very defining moment.

It was a truly humbling and inspiring day seeing vets and colts work together, the senior men's and women's teams alongside the minis and juniors and the finished product is a superb facility.

It was a tough and exhausting day with many magical moments caught on camera showing the camaraderie within the club, and interest from the local community.

A few quotes from those there:

Adam Libbey: "At 5pm we raised a very well deserved glass of Roebuck estate sparkling wine and compared callouses over a bbq at the club house. A brilliantly memorable and inspiring day for the club"

Club President David Doonan: "This is what Barnes Rugby Club is all about, we are a village club in the city, and we are all about the community".

Ted Mannix - Colts Player: "I wanted to come and give something back for future generations "

Cameron Ruddock - 1st XV player: "Something that really resonates with me is how the whole club gets behind something like this"

Chris Browne - 1st XV Coach: "This is such a good endorsement of our One Club philosophy which makes us all want to stay true to playing in the original spirit".

There is also a nice piece here which was published by England Rugby this week too:
https://www.englandrugby.com/news/article/barnes-big-build

A massive thank you to all of you involved. You are immense, you are Barnow heroes!

Michael "Rhino" Whitfield - Chairman Barnes RFC