The Richard Engelgardt Trust received cheques for around £9000 at the Birstall RFC President Day on Bank Holiday Sunday.

The annual Birstall Charity game was held in aid of Birstall player Richard Engelgardt - who suffered a spinal injury at the start of the 2009/10 season. A Trust has been set up to help Richard.

Andy Reed President of Birstall Rugby Club said "It is important that we look after Richard and his needs, not just for one or two years but for the rest of his life. That is what the rugby community is like - we rally round. I have ben proud of the reponse of everybody at the club, across the County and in fact all over the country"

The fundraising activities included a 'Beard-off', a Lions fundraising evening with Hatt Hampson, Ventnor RFC donation and the Parliamentary Team making a donation.

More activities are planned throughout the year. A website and news will be launched soon.

Andy Reed took part in a charity football game in Quorn yesterday afternoon in aid of injured rugby players Matt Hampson and Richard Engelgardt. Andy lined up for the Quorn Royals against the Leicester Legends side.

Andy Reed is President of Birstall Rugby Club and a Trustee of the Trust Fund set up to help injured Birstall player Richard Engelgardt.

He said “I want to thank all of the players for taking time out to take part in this charity game. They are all very busy and could easily have been doing something else on a Sunday afternoon. But for people like Martin Johnson , Austin Healey and Freddie Tuilagi from the rugby world and Muzzy Izzet, Matt Elliott, Gerry Taggart Scott Oakes and many others to give their time was wonderful. I enjoyed putting on my boots in the middle of a busy election day for these lads.

It was a 2-2 all draw at the Quorn Ground – an improvement after the Quorn Royals had lost 10-2 the previous year.