Public encouraged to honour cancer warriors by adding names to this year’s match shirts at Kingston Park.
Military vs Cancer is inviting the public to commemorate loved ones by embedding their names into this year’s match kits as its third annual Armed Forces Rugby event returns to Newcastle on Saturday, June 21st.
Last year, a staggering £48,000 was raised for Military vs Cancer as men’s and women’s teams from the UK Armed Forces took on select North of England XI teams in matches billed as the largest semi-professional rugby event in the UK.
And now, with the foes due to do battle again at Newcastle Falcons’ Kingston Park, the public are being encouraged to become a part of the day – not only by attending, but by having their names included on the match shirts.
For the charity’s founder, David Bathgate, a chance to become a part of the event’s history beckons. He said: “Through the last two years, the military and North East communities have rallied behind the charity, not only supporting our rugby events, but getting on board with our wider fundraising opportunities and doing their bit to raise vital funds.
“So, this year, we wanted to do something different. We’ve organised for up to 750 names to appear on match day kits on June 21st. Whether you want to put your own name down, pay tribute to currently serving personnel, or those you might have lost through the years, this is your chance to become immersed in the fabric of our 2025 event.”
Anyone interested in adding a name to the shirts this year can do so by purchasing a reward on the charity’s main website, at https://www.militaryvscancer.com/product-category/armed-forces-day-rugby-tops/
Military vs Cancer became a registered charity in May 2022 but was founded several years earlier by David after losing several family members to cancer. The charity brings together all three military services, businesses and people in industry to help support those who are battling with cancer, aiming to inspire people to live their lives to the fullest.
He said: “I lost eight members of my family to cancer over a very short timeframe, including my brother. The right thing to do was to turn to my mates in the military to see if there was anything we could do to alleviate the pain for all the families, so we decided to raise £100,000 and donate it to two well-known cancer charities.”
With the first two rugby events at Kingston Park – in 2023 and 2024 – raising a combined £70,000 for Military vs Cancer, this year’s event will pay tribute to the memories of Cpl Tim Crossan RM and L/Cpl Nathan Summersgill-Smith RM, who bravely fought, but sadly lost their respective battles with cancer.
“While we go out of our way to provide support to military and ex-services personnel, we cannot guarantee positive outcomes for those we are helping,” added David. “By offering respite support and a break from cancer for those battling the illness as well as their families, it felt right that we honour the memories of two men who gave so much of their lives to supporting/defending our country.”
Tickets for Military vs Cancer’s Armed Forces Rugby event are on sale priced at £10 for adults, and £5 for children, with tickets for military personnel and veterans free of charge. Tickets are available now via the Newcastle Falcons website – https://www.eticketing.co.uk/newcastle-falcons/EDP/Event/Index/2017?position=5 – or the Defence Discount Service for military personnel and veterans – https://www.defencediscountservice.co.uk/offerdetails.php?cid=22774