In December 2019 Pocklington Rugby In the Community held its first community Christmas lunch in the rugby clubhouse. Because of lockdown in 2020 the charity switched to making Christmas dinner home deliveries; and this year it did both - holding a clubhouse event on Friday then taking a festive meal to people's own homes on Sunday lunchtime.
On Friday afternoon Pocklington Rugby In The Community (PRITC), the rugby club's charity arm, served up a three course lunch for 45 in the clubhouse. Excellent yuletide entertainment followed thanks to members of the Red Sky Ukulele Band and The Forgotten Voices Choir and all those attending received a Christmas gift.
Anyone unable to attend on Friday, or those who preferred to stay in their own homes were the recipients two days later. A team of volunteers packed 120 insulated boxes with another batch of Christmas dinners and handed over to a fleet of delivery drivers who took the meal plus a card and gift to120 household across Pocklington and surrounding villages.
PRITC chairman Andy Bowden, commented: "Friday was a brilliant afternoon, and though it was a major operation on Sunday everything went like clockwork thanks to all our helpers and supporters. We've had loads of messages to say how grateful everyone is."
Over 80 volunteers including club committee, current and past players, friends and supporters, made the weekend happen, with some of the stream of individuals carrying out the dinner boxes being filmed for BBC TVs Look North news programme (see Look North TV clip on the club's Facebook or Twitter pages}.
Everything was paid for by the charity's own funds, plus generous donations in cash or kind from supportive businesses KCOM, Wolflabs, Sainsbury's, Laveracks, East Riding of Yorkshire Council's Active Towns, John Clappison, Wetwang Woodland Turkeys and TH Hobson Farms.
PRITC also runs a regular social meeting and refreshment in the rugby clubhouse on the last Friday afternoon of each month. Transport can be provided, if you are interested or know of someone who might benefit, please contact PRITC, email pocklingtonritc@gmail.com for details,
pictured: Jayne Cook and rugby club chairman Andy Winn set off with their dinner deliveries.
