England Rugby has announced a charity partnership with Sport Relief with an ambition to raise £4 million over four years.
The partnership will be used to support projects and programmes that use rugby to help change people’s lives and as a tool for social good.
Money raised through the partnership will be awarded as grants by Comic Relief to charitable projects and programmes through the Try for Change Fund, which is a fully managed fund by Comic Relief
The grants offered through the Try for Change Fund will focus on projects that improve community cohesion, educational attainment, employability and mental health as well as those which help reduce a young person’s risk of involvement in gangs or offending.
As part of England Rugby’s partnership with Sport Relief, a number of high-profile charitable events will take place across the four year period from now until Rugby World Cup 2019 in order to help achieve the £4 million fundraising target.
“Partnering with Sport Relief sets out our clear commitment to grow rugby as a tool for social good and widen the impact of rugby, and its values, to improve the lives of those who need it most," said Ian Ritchie, RFU Chief Executive.
More details of the Try for Change Fund and the grant strategy will be released in due course.
"We’re delighted to have been chosen as a partner of England Rugby," said Michele Settle, director of UK campaigns & brands at Comic Relief.
"We believe that sport is a powerful tool for helping bring about social change and their commitment over four years will make a huge difference to the lives of people right here in the UK and across the world’s poorest communities.”
This article was originally published on englandrugby.com