Hawick Linden on fundraising quest to assist Borders General Hospital

Players from Hawick Linden RFC are taking on a challenge to raise money for the Borders General Hospital.
Hawick Linden in action agianst Melrose (archive image by Bill McBurnie)Hawick Linden in action agianst Melrose (archive image by Bill McBurnie)
Hawick Linden in action agianst Melrose (archive image by Bill McBurnie)

The club’s playing squad, coaches and committee members have set the test to run from the Borders town to Lombardy in Italy, and back.

As we went to press, the Royal Blues had just passed the halfway mark towards their target total, with fully two months of the appeal still to go.

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One of the players, Kieran Murphy, set up a JustGiving page and explained: “On behalf of Hawick Linden Rugby Club, we have decided to do a fundraiser for the Borders General Hospital (NHS) in Melrose to show our appreciation for the amazing work they are doing during the coronavirus pandemic.”

“We, as a club, are planning on running from Hawick to Lombardy in Italy and back, one of the worst struck places in Europe with the virus.

“The distance is 2240 miles and we have given ourselves a timescale of 12 weeks to complete it (May 4 to July 27).

“All runs will be recorded and posted on our Facebook Page daily.

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“We hope everyone is safe and well, and we hope you can help us raise money for the people that are risking themselves to help others.”

By yesterday (Wednesday), the JustGiving page showed 67 supporters had donated to help the Linden make a difference to NHS Borders’ COVID-19 pandemic response, boosting the Borders Health Board Endowment Funds by £1185 – 52 per cent of the way to the target total of £2240.

You can keep updated with their progress by visiting the club’s Facebook page, which also has details on how to donate.

Yesterdy’s posting said: “Day 16 totals – Another 100 miles + day from everyone again, taking us below 700 miles to go and nearing Paris on our return. Keep up the good work, everyone!”

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People active – 20; miles covered (that day) – 103.23; miles covered (total) – 1542.97; miles to go – 697.03.

The post added: “Thanks for all the donations so far. We are really trying to push for our target of donations so if you’ve any spare money you’d like to put towards a great cause, it would be much appreciated.”