Rugby’s Finest Line up for ‘Heroes Rugby Challenge’ December Fundraiser at Twickenham

LONDON, August 15, 2011 -

Some of the greatest rugby players from around the world will line up at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday 3 December 2011 for the ‘Heroes Rugby Challenge’. The match, which kicks off at 1630 and is supported by J.P. Morgan, aims to raise a substantial sum of money for Help for Heroes, the charity which provides practical support for wounded service men and women.

     (Photo: www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20110815/474231 )

England World Cup winners, Lawrence Dallaglio and Jason Leonard, together with Welsh legend, Ieuan Evans, will manage the H4H Northern Hemisphere XV against an all-star Southern Hemisphere XV side which will be overseen by Australian and All Black World Cup winners Michael Lynagh and Sean Fitzpatrick. The two teams will comprise of players selected from the northern and southern hemisphere professional game and the best players from the Armed Forces.    

This year’s fixture, which will mark the tenth anniversary of Britain’s Armed Forces Operations in Afghanistan, promises to be an even bigger attraction than the first Help for Heroes match in 2008 when over 52,000 spectators helped raise £1.46m for Help for Heroes.  

Jason Leonard commented:

“The aim of the Heroes Rugby Challenge is simple - to pack out Twickenham Stadium on 3^rd December and raise more than £1 million for Help for Heroes in the process. To achieve this, we need the public to really get behind this game and show their support by buying a ticket and encouraging everyone they know to do the same.”

Jeff Blackett, Chairman of the Heroes Rugby Challenge, said:  

“The Heroes Rugby Challenge is a great opportunity to see some of the best rugby players in the world in action. But it’s also an opportunity for rugby fans to come together and show their support for the brave servicemen and women who serve our country in areas of conflict. Life changing injuries are an inevitable but very sad fact of war and it is essential that those who are hurt are given the best possible care and rehabilitation. Every penny raised from the Heroes Rugby Challenge will help provide even better facilities and care for injured troops.”

Roger Thompson, Head of UK at J.P. Morgan Asset Management, added:

“We are very proud to be supporting the Heroes Rugby Challenge and helping raise money for Help for Heroes. We hope this year’s event will attract a sell-out crowd and raise even more money than in 2008.”

Video footage from today’s launch will be available on www.youtube.com/officialRFUTV on Tuesday 16 August.

Heroes Rugby Challenge, supported by J.P. Morgan,  Saturday 3 December 2011 at Twickenham Stadium, kicks off at 1630. Ticket prices start at £30 for adults, £10 for under 16’s, and are available through Ticketmaster www.ticketmaster.co.uk or by calling +44(0)844-847-2492

Notes to editor:

About Heroes Rugby Challenge

• Heroes Rugby Challenge is supported by lead sponsor by J.P. Morgan and medal sponsor Energizer UK.
• Heroes Rugby Challenge will be broadcast live and exclusively on Sky Sports HD.
• None of the players will be paid to participate.
• Squad announcements and updates will be made in the lead up to Saturday 3 December.  
• Rugby fans can show their support for the Heroes Rugby Challenge by visiting the Facebook page www.facebook.com/heroesrugby or  receive updates via Twitter www.twitter.com/heroesrugby  

About Help for Heroes

• Help for Heroes (H4H) has raised over £105m since its launch in October 2007.
• All the funds raised to date are either allocated or spent on the direct, practical support of those wounded in the line of duty. To date, H4H has funded a variety of projects including the £8m Rehabilitation Complex at Headley Court, a new £3.5m treatment centre for Combat Stress, adaptive adventure training through the Battle Back programme and the creation of a £6m Quick Reaction Fund to support individuals in need.
• In February 2010, H4H announced its key role in the creation of five regional Personnel Recovery Centres (PRCs), which provide, in partnership with the MOD and The Royal British Legion and other Service charities, ongoing training and support for the wounded after Headley Court.  Locations of the PRCs include Edinburgh, Colchester, Catterick, Tidworth and Plymouth.
• Help for Heroes does not seek to criticise or be political. They work closely with the Army, Navy and RAF, along with other services charities, to provide support where it is most needed.
• Of the money raised to date for H4H, nearly all of it has been either spent or allocated to provide facilities and support services that benefit British servicemen and women injured in action.  
• For more information on how H4H spend your money visit www.helpforheroes.org.uk/how_we_spend.html

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