Devonport Services RFC Charity Head Shave

Richard Goldsby-West
Sam Bennett
Spider Kelly (right) Royal Navy Rugby Union Community Rugby Coach

Devonport Services RFC have raised over £24,000 for NHS Charities Together through an organised charity head shave, also known as the CovHead Challenge (#COVHEAD-19).

A version of this challenge was set up by Player/Coach Richard Goldsby-West and Vice-Captain Sam Bennett, who set up the “Devonport Services RFC Big Shave” with the original aim of fundraising £200 with 9 players shaving their heads.  Their concept was simple, for every £10 donated to charity, a rugby player would shave their head.  Their fundraiser page raised over £1,000 in 24 hours and in just a week has raised over £24,000 with junior, retired players, supporters, family members and coaches all getting involved.

With a shortage of heads to shave for this gargantuan fundraising effort, the challenge has also now spread to other rugby clubs with Saltash, Torquay, Plympton Victoria, Paignton, Honiton, Tamar Saracens, Brixham, Crediton and Tiverton RFCs also getting involved.

Richard Goldsby-West tells us: “It’s unbelievable how much momentum this has created, it’s amazing that we as a rugby community can give back to your outstanding NHS through this tough time. Also raising awareness of all the hard work that they put in and how vital they are for our country. We would like to also use this platform to say thank you to everyone who has donated, shaved and shared the link on our social media platforms, this couldn’t happen without the Rugby community coming together. It’s been a honour for us both to lead this charge but again thank you to all the clubs for helping along the way to make this a fantastic ongoing achievement.”

“From a £200 target to £24,000, it’s unbelievable and we are so thankful to everyone”

NHS Charities Together is a fantastic initiative that support NHS staff and volunteers who are working harder now than ever before, caring for COVID-19 patients.  Funds generated will be granted to member NHS charities supporting the health and emotional wellbeing of those on our NHS Frontline, so they can deliver the best care possible to Coronavirus patients.

To find out more about how to donate or if your rugby club can support the team’s challenge, please visit the Devonport Services RFC Big Shave Justgiving page.