Crowborough sportsmen in cheeky fundraiser

BAREFACED cheek was shown by rugby and football players from Crowborough raising money for a new clubhouse.

The Crowborough Rugby Football Club gained planning permission for the new facility in September, and members are working hard to raise the £500,000 needed to develop it.

In the latest fundraising venture, club players and committee members have been stripped of their kits for a naked 2009 wall calendar.

Around 200 copies of the calendar have already been sold at £10 each, and a further 300 copies are available for purchase.

The idea to create the souvenir started with club secretary Sandy Pantrey who was brainstorming fundraising ideas with her female friends.

Club chairman Simon Davies, who features in the August photo, said: "They sort of fielded the idea with the committee."

He added: "Much to our surprise, everyone said they were up for it."

Crowborough resident and professional photographer Julia Orchard agreed to take the photographs free of charge, and managing director of Ditching Press Geoff Dagwell said he would print the calendars for free.

The pictures were taken in August this year, and the club was closed for the photo shoot which was held on the pitch and in the bar among other locations.

Mr Davies said: "There was a certain amount of shyness."

He added: "But a couple of glasses of beer later and rugby players tend to lose their inhibitions anyway. They were all very cooperative, infact most people enjoyed it."

Club member Steve May said: "I think it went really well, everybody really enjoyed it."

He added: "We are all trying to club together to raise funds for the club, predominantly to help out the youth section for the younger ones because that is a big element of the rugby club and we are all trying to do our best."

Nearly £90,000 has already been raised towards the total through a number of fundraising events, and the club has plenty of force behind it with 300 junior members and around 100 adult players.

It is hoped that the new clubhouse will be ready for use at the site at Steel Cross in 2010.

The Crowborough Rugby Football Club Calendar 2009 is available to purchase from the club. More information can be found by calling 01892 654832.