Through sales of wristbands, donations and the presentation of a cheque for nearly £1,000 from the Tigers Cashback initiative, ABF The Soldiers Charity beat their 2009/10 total from their visit to Welford Road, and they are already planning for a return.
Formerly known as the Army Benevolent Fund, the Soldiers’ Charity provides medical, technical and financial support for serving soldiers or veterans when they need help, and they have worked closely with Tigers during the last two seasons.
Leicester Tigers executive chairman Peter Tom CBE was joined on the pitch at half-time by Brigadier Andrew Williams OBE, commander of 49(E) Brigade at Chetwynd Barracks in Nottingham, plus Corporal Carlos Buckley, ABF officials Colonel Paul Cummings and Colonel Murray Colville, and Lieutenant Colonel Jack Tarr OBE, ABF regional director of fund-raising.
The information trailer and climbing wall outside the Caterpillar Stand proved popular with supporters on the way into the game, and TV presenter Martin Bayfield even clambered on the wall while colleague Craig Doyle kept his feet firmly on the floor.
Lieutenant Colonel Jack Tarr OBE said: “On behalf of ABF The Soldiers Charity I would like to thank all of the supporters from Leicester Tigers and Northampton Saints for their generosity on the day.
“We all enjoyed an excellent game between two very good teams and we were delighted with our fund-raising and the interest shown in the charity’s work.
“We can all be proud of this achievement and we look forward to breaking the £10,000 barrier next season with the help of Leicester Tigers.”
The Royal Logistics Corps parachute display team, known as the Silverstars, showed their support in spectacular style by dropping into Welford Road half an hour before kick-off and leading jumper Captain Jared Morris presented the matchball before the game between the top two clubs in the Aviva Premiership table.
For more information on ABF The Soldiers Charity, see the website at www.soldierscharity.org
