By Duncan Wood
January 16 2003

Here is an update on the fundraising effort so far. Read on to find out how we're doing so far and how we're going to increase the publicity in the next couple of days. And a real big thank you to everyone who has contributed so far.

First of all, a big thank you to everyone who has either pledged a donation so far or who has actually sent us a cheque. Your support really is appreciated and we have had great feedback from the club so far.

The great news is that we've hit the £1000 mark which was our original target and we're still waiting to hear from quite a few people who expressed an interest in contributing as to how much they are willing to donate.

This, of course, is without doing any publicity except for running a story on this website and posting on the messageboard of the official site.

In the next couple of days, we're going to crank up the PR a little with the help of the club who have provided their PR expertise and advice and also the help of the local media.

So, don't be surprised to read about the campaign in the Evening Post and Western Daily Press or even hear about it if you listen to Star FM.

However, the jewel in the crown is that, thanks to Justin at the club, I'm going to be appearing alongside Alex Brown (he'll be the tall athletic looking one!) in a live BBC Points West broadcast from the Beehive Pub on Friday night at 6:40pm.

Alex will obviously be talking about the Leinster game and I'll be talking about the fund raising effort. God, I'm nervous already!

Back to the donations side of things. There will be four of us collecting your cheques at the Leinster game - Trewbear, Big Dave, Stevie P and myself.

In true Bristol rugby style, we'll be located at the pasty stands (!) before the match and at half time. Trewbear is making us some laminated signs so you'll know who we are. We'll be at the pasty stands at either end of the Centenary Stand, at the one between the West Stand and the South Stand and at the one at the rear of the Clubhouse Terrace.

Alternatively, keep sending your cheques by post to:

Helping Bristol Rugby
17 Hawkins Crescent
Bradley Stoke
Bristol
BS32 8EH

Remember that cheques should be made payable to the club. If you have any queries, email us at helpingbristolrugby@talk21.com

Thanks again to everyone who has contributed so far and we look forward to meeting you all on Sunday when, hopefully if we all do our bit, there will be a massive Bristol crowd roaring the Shoguns onto victory!

Trewbear, Big Dave, Duncan.