Leicester Tigers will face the challenge of Gloucester at Kingsholme on Sunday, August 30, and on the same day, a local family will be taking on their own challenge as they aim to raise £1,000 in support of Taylor Gough.
Tigers fans Dave Rochester, 50, along with his daughter Emily, 22, and her boyfriend Freddie, 22, will be raising money for The Matt Hampson Foundation by attempting 1000 penalty kicks at Leicester Lions Rugby Club.
Academy graduate Taylor remains in intensive care at Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham, where the Leicester Tigers back-rower has been since mid-June after being involved in a major road incident.
The 20-year-old suffered multiple injuries, including severe spinal injuries, and it is the work of one of the Leicester Tigers official charities in the Matt Hampson Foundation that help individuals who have suffered life-changing injuries through their recovery.
Rugby fans are invited to join the family at Leicester Lions RFC Westleigh Park ground on Lutterworth Road, Blaby - the former club of Tigers legends Martin Johnson and both Brett and Louis Deacon.
Entry to the ground is free and David, Emily and Freddie will begin the challenge on the training pitches at 10:00am with a raffle of signed sporting memorabilia taking place at 12:00pm. The group will continue after a break and complete the last 100 kicks on the first team pitch in front of the club house.
Social distancing measures will also be in place in light of government guidelines.
Dave is an old school friend of Taylor Gough’s dad John and, with children of a similar age, the news of Taylor’s accident was a personal one.
“I was devastated for the family when I heard the news about Taylor’s injury”, David explained. “I’ve known John since we were at school and while it’s harder to keep in touch as you get older, I wanted to do something to help the family.
“With the families blessing, I set about organising the fundraiser. I first had the idea remembering a similar challenge back when I was playing. I’m 5”7 and used to play hooker so I was never allowed near the kicking tee.
“I thought 1000 kicks for £1000 was a good target and my daughter Emily and her boyfriend Freddie have also come on board to help out. With Leicester Lions also opening their grounds to support, we are hoping to make a day of it and raise some real cash to support Hambo and Taylor.
The raffle will include a number of sought out items including:
- Squad signed Leicester Tigers 2019/20 home shirt
- Signed Leicester City home shirt
- Rugby ball signed by former Tigers and England captain Martin Johnson
- Rugby ball signed by former England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson
- Rugby Ball used during England v Argentina at RWC 2001 signed by former England captain Bill Beaumont
- England jersey signed by former Leicester Tiger Manu Tuilagi
- Plus much more
“It’s been fantastic to see the money raised for Taylor so far, and so we hope we can beat our target and do our bit to help him and those affected by life-changing injuries.”
If you would like to donate, visit the GoFundMe page by clicking here. If you would like to get involved on the day, please contact Dave on 07469 412412.
