Old Leamingtonians Rugby Club will host third heroes festival

HEROES will be remembered in a two-day family festival of rugby and music at Old Leamingtonians RFC next weekend.

The club in Bericote Road, Blackdown, is hosting its third annual Rugby For Heroes event to raise money for armed forces charities including Help For Heroes, The Royal British Legion and the 11th Explosive Ordinance Disposal Regiment Families Charity.

More than £4,400 has been raised by the event over the last two years and this year’s festival is being held in memory of fallen Warwickshire soldiers Pte Joe Whittaker and Pte Conrad Lewis.

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The event will include rugby tournaments for adults and youngsters and playing appearances by British Army and touring sides.

Television presenter and former Royal Marines officer Monty Halls will return as the playing special guest and live music will be provided by the Kel Elliott Band, Whytehouse and the Sambassadors of Groove.

Nick Crighton, a club spokesman, said: “Lots of people have had a lot of fun at the event, for example last year’s tournament winners were from Cullompton Rugby Club in Devon and they were a terrific bunch of guys and the army teams were wonderful too.

“We are going into the quiet season now so this be something to bring people back to the club and keep rugby at the forefront of their minds.

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“We’ve had a good season and we are hoping the next one is even better because the club is looking very strong.”

Kenilworth and Southam MP Jeremy Wright will open the event next Saturday at 12.15pm.

This will be followed by a spectacular display by the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment ‘Tigers’ Parachute Team and a remembrance service led by the Warwickshire Branch of the Royal British Legion.

The first of the rugby tournaments will kick-off at 1.30pm.

More tournaments and matches will take place on the Sunday.

Tickets cost £5 for adults for the whole weekend or £3 for the Sunday only and camping is available.

Admission is free for under-18s.

Anyone who wants to take part in any way can call 07545 602029, email [email protected] or visit www.rugbyforheroes.org