Saints With Heart FundRaising - A History


By Saints With Heart
October 3 2005

In 2002,Comeonyousaints.com started a fund-raising initiative in aid of The British Heart Foundation. This is what we've done so far...

Saints With Heart I

November 21 2002....Rich writes....

In the last six months three members of our online community, here at COYSDC have suffered heart attacks. Fortunately for us all, none of these events have been fatal and our friends are still with us. This has prompted us to take action and it has been agreed by all to hold a sponsored walk in aid of  British heart Foundation .

The route, which has already been tested by David Ball, Bleach and myself, starts in the Saints car park and takes an approximately 6 mile  circular route to Kislingbury and back. Most Saints fans will be quite surprised by the scenery of the route as it takes in nature reserves and country paths. We completed the walk at a leisurely pace in under two hours , so it should be ok for most people. Part of the route can be very muddy so I would advise sensible footwear (walking boots or similar, although trainers would be ok if you don't mind getting wet muddy feet) with maybe a change of shoes and trousers waiting in the car if you're going to the match after. I hope to put a map on the site at a later date. The proposed time of starting is 11 O'clock on Saturday December 7th (date of Heineken cup pool match against Cardiff) which means that everyone should be back at the Gardens in plenty of time for food and drink before kick off.

Saints With Heart II

September 5 2003...Rich again...

Following the staggering success of last years charity walk for the British Heart Foundation, planning for this years event is well under way. So dust down the hiking boots and break out the Kendall mint cake. The "Saints with Heart Walk II" is aiming to raise a load more cash.

 This year the goal is to be bigger, better and to raise a stack more cash! The plan is for the hardiest of the walkers to march from Wolverton, following the Grand Union Canal all the way to Franklin's Gardens (approximately 15 miles). Chris_the_Saints_Ed has completed this route before and he assures me that they made it to the match in plenty of time. For the occasional rambler and the youngsters (Joe & Holly to name the stars of last year) there will be a much gentler route starting at Blisworth (approximately 5.5. miles). However the aim is for the two groups to meet at Stoke Bruene for a late breakfast/early brunch and then if we can organise it to ferry people through the tunnel to Blisworth on narrow boats. It all sounds like fun so far doesn't but here is the first word of caution. The full 15 mile route is only for those who are fully capable of such a distance. I am currently considering options for ensuring as far as is possible that everyone has a safe, fun and successful day.

In addition to the walk activities we have a number of  pleasing announcements. Firstly all entrants who raise £50 or more in sponsorship this year will receive a free Jetsco t-shirt. Secondly the balloon race at the Saints open day (September 7th) is being donated to the BHF so thanks to Sian Haynes at the Saints for that. Thirdly Chris is currently liaising with Brian C over at The Craic (London Irish Sportnetwork  Site) so that they can get involved too. They're a good bunch and involving them will add greatly to our event. Fourthly we will be selling cashback tickets in aid of the BHF for the match in question, it's £7.50 to the charity per ticket. Fifthly we will be having a bucket shake to raise more cash too. Sixthly Jane Knights from the BHF will be running a heart health promotion stall on the day. Seventhly we are looking for maximum local publicity through BBC Radio Northampton and the Chronicle and Echo. Eigthly.....you know what, that'll do for now! I hope you're all getting as excited as I am. (except for Bob, Bob and Mark that is!)

So thanks to everyone on the organisation team, especially Saintsby, for some great work so far...and watch this space for more details and updates in the coming weeks.
 
 
SAINTS WITH HEART III
 
The mini press release - October 5th 2004

ComeOnYouSaints.com, the unofficial website of Northampton Saints rugby club, are pleased to announce the forthcoming Saints With Heart 3 sponsored walk in aid of the British Heart Foundation.

This is the third year of the walk, and will take place from 7.30 a.m. on Saturday 16th October, before the Saints home game with Sale Sharks that afternoon. The walk is split in two, with "long" walkers travelling 17 miles from Wolverton railway station to Franklin's Gardens, and meeting up with "short" walkers for the last 8 miles from Stoke Bruerne.

The Patron for this year's walk is Maggie Barwell, wife of Saints chairman Keith, and a participant in last year's walk. It is hoped that Keith, who has suffered from heart trouble previously, will take part in this year's walk and lead the walkers into Franklin's Gardens. Previous walks have raised a total of over £13,000 for the BHF, and it is hoped that this year's effort will beat the £9,600 raised last year.

Saints With Heart was established after three members of our online community, namely Robert Leach, Bob Stainsby, and Mark Coleman, suffered heart attacks within a six month period in 2002. Indeed, Mark suffered his heart attack in Biarritz that October whilst supporting the Saints in the Heineken Cup.

The first walk took place on 7th December 2002, was started by then-Saints Mattie Stewart and Peter Jorgensen, and raised just under £4,000 - a remarkable total considering that from the time the idea was mooted to the walk itself was less than four weeks.

The second fundraising effort, on 11th October 2003, was helped by our friends from Leicester Tigers, who took part in an unusual challenge. If the Tigers supporters could raise more than ourselves through our respective websites, then one of our number would wear a Tigers shirt for the entire walk, which to a Saints supporter is heresey. After a total of £1,515 was raised, and despite the Saints total being marginally more, the Tigers shirt was worn as a mark of respect for the tremendous genorosity shown.

For this year's walk, we've gone one step further. Site regulars have contacted each of the 12 Zurich Premiership clubs, the majority of whom (to date) have kindly donated a signed shirt that we can use to raise money after the walk. We have also been offered a framed signed shirt by World Cup winning captain Martin Johnson, which Martin has agreed to present to the lucky winner. Local rivals Bedford, from National League One, and containing many ex-Saints stars, have also donated a shirt to the cause

It is hoped that we can recreate the famous photograph after the World Cup Final on Manly beach, where the World Cup winning players posed in their club shirts.

Saints With Heart 3 brings the Premiership clubs together for a common cause - helping the British Heart Foundation to continue its excellent work in combatting heart disease.

TWENTY THOUSAND SO FAR... OCTOBER 24th 2004...

The End in South Bridge tonight saw the closing of the Saints With Heart III fundraising, with a gala night to draw the winners of the signed shirts for each club.

There was also a raffle, with a number of prizes.  The main news, however, was the announcement of a first pledged total of £20,007 at the end of the evening - this without further money from walkers still to be accounted for.

 

SAINTS WITH HEART IV...2005...

So here we are, Walk IV is almost upon us, Saturday 15th October 2005. Chris Hoddle's magnificent efforts with the Northern Walk has set the standard. The Wristbands are selling like hot err...bangly-type things. Quiz night is Friday 7th October. Time is of the essence. We face a huge challenge before us to match last season's total. What can YOU do to help Comeonyousaints.com's BHF fundraising for 2005?

You can make a difference, let's make that difference happen...

 

 

 

 

 

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