PRESS RELEASE: 26th JUNE 2020
£9428 to help PERCY PARK RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB during current COVID-19 pandemic
Percy Park RFC in North Shields has been awarded £9428 of National Lottery funding from Sport England’s Community Emergency Fund towards club maintenance during the on-going COVID-19 pandemic.
The outbreak of the virus and the consequent shutdown of businesses as of March 23 has left the sport and physical activity sector facing a period of uncertainty.
In response, on March 31 Sport England announced a £195m package to help the sport and physical activity sector through covid-19. Within the package is a £20m Community Emergency Fund, of National Lottery money to deliver immediate funding to those who have a role in supporting the nation to be active but are experiencing short-term financial hardship or the ceasing of operations due to the impact of coronavirus.
The grant will allow Percy Park RFC to maintain pitches, carry out essential club maintenance and pay running costs which still fall due despite the club being closed to business.
Chris McDine, Percy Park President and Chairman sent this message.
On behalf of Percy Park Rugby Football Club I'd like to thank Sports England very much for our Sports Community Grant. This grant has come at a time where our club has received very little income for over 3 months, so it's much needed and we are very appreciative. This money will be spent on continuing to maintain and improve our clubhouse for all in the community to continue to enjoy.
Chris McDine
Chairman
Percy Park RFC
Tim Hollingsworth, Sport England’s Chief Executive, said:
“As the body responsible for the growth of sport and physical activity participation, we want the vital grassroots organisations that make sport and physical activity happen in this country to not just to come through this crisis but to be in a position to thrive again in the future. The £20m Community Emergency fund, made possible by National Lottery players is part of a multimillion pound package of support we are providing to ease the pressure on a huge number of the organisations who are central to the nation’s health and wellbeing.
“We are proud to be able to provide vital funding to Percy Park Rugby Football Club to help it through these extremely challenging times.”