Leicester Tigers captain Tom Youngs was on hand to meet fans and support the largest rugby 10s tournament in the Midlands.
Returning for its 11th year, Robbie's Rugby Festival is inspired by two young men who tragically lost their lives to cancer. Through the work of the Robbie Anderson Cancer Trust and the Jake McCarthy Foundation, days like the festival help to raise vital funds for the charities,
Both Tom and his brother Ben were this year selected as ambassadors for the charity. While Ben was unable to make the event due to commitments with the England squad ahead of the Rugby World Cup, Tigers skipper Tom spent the day meeting supporters, cheering from the sidelines and presenting the winners with prizes which included the Cup, Plate and Spoon trophies.
Held at Loughborough Grammar School Playing Fields, eight groups of three teams took part alongside a social rugby tournament and a ladies' Sevens tournament.
In May this year, alongside his Tigers’ team-mates, Tom opened a Therapy Room for the children’s oncology ward and Teenage Cancer Trust Unit at Leicester Royal Infirmary, paid for by funds raised by Robbie’s Rugby Festival.
Determined not to be beaten by the elements, players and spectators braved the rain at Loughborough and saw out the day with the festival's ‘Party on the Pitch’ in the evening.
Tom Youngs said: “Ben and I are extremely proud to have been event ambassadors for the 11th annual Robbie’s Rugby Festival. Although Ben couldn’t make it on the day due to his busy World Cup training schedule, I was able to attend and felt incredibly humbled to be a part of such a special event.
"Having opened the Therapy Room for Ward 27 and Teenage Cancer Trust Unit at Leicester Royal Infirmary earlier this year, it was amazing to see where the funds for these life-changing resources were raised."
It’s truly heart-warming how the rugby family can come together to make a real difference to people’s lives.”
Founder of ADDO Events and Robbie’s Rugby Festival, Georgie Fowle said: “We are always overwhelmed with the generosity and support we receive for the event and an enormous thanks must go out to the festival committee, our families, loyal supporters and everyone else involved, without whom Robbie’s Rugby Festival would not be possible.
"We also wanted to say a huge thank you to Ben and Tom Youngs for helping to raise the profile of the event by being our wonderful event ambassadors this year.
"The funds raised from the event will allow our two exceptional charities to continue their vital work in making a real difference to those battling with cancer and their families at what is an unimaginably tough time."
For news about next year's festival, visit: www.robbiesrugbyfestival.com
