Over 400 guests from across the Richmond Rugby community gathered at the Grand Connaught Rooms on Friday 2 October for another terrific Richmond Heavies Foundation Lunch, bringing people together and raising vital funds for the Foundation’s work.

Two years on from the previous Lunch, there was plenty of catching up between old friends as players, supporters, sponsors and club legends took their seats. Richmond’s Old Gold, Red and Black were on show throughout the room, from club ties to waistcoats and suit jackets. Among those attending were Men’s 1st XV captain Paddy Case and Women’s 1st XV captain Amanda Swartz, joining familiar faces from across the club’s history.

Rugby presenter and long-standing Foundation favourite Mark Durden-Smith set the tone for a lively afternoon, keeping the room involved throughout. Guest speakers Jonathan ‘Fox’ Davies, the Wales and British & Irish Lions legend, and Deborah Griffin OBE, former RFU President, Richmond Secretary and women’s rugby pioneer, shared some great stories from their years in the game.

Over a delicious three-course meal, guests gave generously through the heads or tails game, raffle and live and silent auctions. A singalong rounded off an afternoon that combined everything people enjoy about the Lunch with the fundraising that makes it so important.

Founded in 2018 following the tragic loss of three members of the Heavies community, The Richmond Heavies Foundation has since delivered more than 1,100 cardiac screenings and helped install defibrillators in over 70 rugby clubs and public spaces nationwide. The Lunch helps fund this work, alongside a mental wellbeing programme and other player welfare initiatives supporting players, members and their families.

Neil Darke, Foundation Trustee, commented:
“At our Lunch, we always look to strike a healthy balance between giving our guests an amazing fun experience alongside raising vital funds for the Foundation.

This year's event could have been our best ever! The feedback from attendees has been incredible and net funds raised at over £60k was our highest since our inaugural Lunch in 2018."

Phil White, Richmond Rugby Managing Director also commented:
“We are immensely proud of the work The Richmond Heavies Foundation does for our club and the wider rugby community. Its volunteers put a huge amount of time and care into supporting the health and wellbeing of our players, members and their families.

“It was a pleasure to see that work supported by so many people at the Lunch. Thank you to everyone involved in making it such a success.”