The Clash 2019 saw Bath Rugby Foundation achieve the twin goals of providing a life-changing experience for children and raise a record-breaking amount of money – which will help change even more lives in the Bath area.

Foundation participants, volunteers and staff were among the 60,000-strong crowd who cheered Bath Rugby onto victory at the third edition of The Clash.

And in the lead up to the big match at Twickenham the Foundation’s base in the bustling West Fan Village was busy with fans hoping to win a signed shirt in the Foundation’s regular £1 matchday raffle and younger (and a few not-so-young) rugby fans lining up to take part in our kick-pass challenge.

Then, after the spectacular pre-match show and the first half action, it was our turn to take to the famous field. We teamed up with Bath Rugby’s Community coaches to showcase girls rugby, with Royal High School, who have been working with the Community team, joined by girls from Clarendon Academy, St Gregory’s School, Devizes RFC and Melksham RFC who have all take part in Bath Rugby Foundation’s Project Rugby programme.

In order to ensure the day was a success we enlisted the help of a small army of volunteers who left The Rec at 7am, fuelled by a lovely breakfast, kindly donated by Bath's baking master, Richard Bertinet.

As well as the activity in the West Fan Village ahead of kick off, we also held a series of fundraising auctions which brought in more than £10,000. After costs are taken into account it looks like the overall profit that will boost our delivery to children and young people here in Bath will be over £12,000, an amazing total for our charity.

Bath Rugby Foundation CEO, Lynne Fernquest, said: “The Clash 2019 was an amazing day for Bath Rugby Foundation. To see the girls our coaches have worked with run out on the big stage was a thrill for everyone involved with our charity.

“Bath Rugby fans gave us great support on the day, with a constant queue of people outside our base in the West Fan Village.

“And as usual, the staff at Bath Rugby who worked so hard to put on a great event gave Bath Rugby Foundation their full backing.”

Head of Fundraising, Halena Coury, said: “It looks like we have raised a new record total for Bath Rugby Foundation at The Clash.

“We had more than 60 volunteers who gave up their entire Saturday (boarding the bus at the Rec before 7am!) to help our charity by holding buckets and selling raffle tickets and they deserve a huge thank you from us.

“It is thanks to those volunteers that we’ve raised so much money – money that will help change the lives of young people in Bath.”

Inclusion Manager, Dan Hine, said: “Seeing the girls run out at the home of English Rugby, just a few months after they first touched a rugby ball was amazing.

“Our coaches are working all the time with young people in the hope of changing their lives and providing memories that will last a lifetime – we’re confident those girls, their teachers and families won’t forget the Clash any time soon.”