Professional sport is a dream career for many. But with the mental pressures and physical toll that comes with first class sport, for some it can become a nightmare. For professional rugby players, should their career be forced to end early, or they hit any form of hardship post playing, they are fortunate enough to have Restart Rugby there to support them. Having raised over £1,000 through our platform, we spoke to Eden from Restart to learn a bit more about the charity and fundraising.
Tell us all about Restart Rugby
Restart is the official charity of the Rugby Players Association (RPA), founded in 2001. Our mission is to support professional rugby players who are forced to confront serious challenges, whether due to illness, injury, or mental health struggles, often resulting in early retirement from the sport they love. We provide financial and practical support to players and their families during difficult times, including help with the cost of medical treatment, rehabilitation equipment and disability support. We’re also there when players need emotional support to help with mental health issues, by providing a 24/7 Confidential Counselling Service.
What do Restart need funding for?
We are currently fundraising to expand our mental health support services, ensuring every player has access to confidential and professional counselling. Every pound raised brings us closer to providing these critical resources.
Why did you join easyfundraising?
We signed up to easyfundraising because it’s a simple, cost-free way for our supporters to help raise essential funds for Restart. With the hectic lives many of our supporter’s lead, easyfundraising allows them to contribute while doing their everyday online shopping, making a huge difference without any additional effort.
How have you promoted easyfundraising to your community and encouraged them to support you?
Mainly through social media posts highlighting how easy it is to sign up and support Restart while shopping online. Alongside dedicated email campaigns explaining the impact supporters can make by simply using the platform.
The referral tools, such as social media templates and banners, have been incredibly helpful in driving engagement!
How will the funds raised be used (or how have they been used)?
We’ve raised over £1,300 to date which has been a great help. Funds raised through easyfundraising go directly toward supporting players in need, providing mental health counselling for players struggling with their mental wellbeing. Whilst supporting financial needs for players facing unexpected crises, such as severe injuries.
These funds are vital to ensuring that Restart can continue to be there for players when they need us most.
What other fundraising do you do?
One of our flagship fundraising initiatives is Restart Round, an annual campaign where a dedicated round of the Gallagher Premiership focuses on raising vital awareness and funds for Restart Rugby. This impactful event features activities such as online auctions of exclusive rugby memorabilia, onsite activations, and raffles at matches.
Beyond the Restart Round, we organise a variety of engaging fundraising activities throughout the year. These include charity treks alongside retired rugby legends, the prestigious Rugby Awards, and fundraising efforts surrounding the Gallagher Premiership Final. We also encourage supporters to get involved by running, walking, or cycling to raise money for the charity.
These events are integral to our mission of providing critical support for rugby players facing serious injury, illness, or hardship. Join us in making a difference by participating or donating!
What advice would you give other causes to help them raise as well as you have?
Our advice to other charities would be to engage with your community. Rugby is all about teamwork, and your supporters are part of that team. Make it easy for them to join your efforts. All whilst using the tools available. Leverage Easy fundraising’s templates and incentives are fundamental in simplifying the process for your audience.
What would you like to say to those who support you?
o everyone who supports Restart: thank you for being part of our team. Your generosity helps us provide life-changing support to players who have given so much to the game. Whether you shop via easyfundraising, donate directly, or volunteer, you are helping us ensure that no player faces their toughest challenges alone. We are deeply grateful for your continued support.
You can get behind them!
There you have it. Restart is like that caring friend who’s always ready to help out and make things better for rugby players and their families during the roughest patches.
If you want to support their work with players, you can sign up to support them when you shop here.
Connected to a sports club or other good cause that could use extra funding? Register your cause here.