Author: Denys Andrianjafy

In an effort to reach the carbon net-zero target by 2050 the UK is committed to planting millions more trees. 

Canterbury RFC applied for a selection of trees through The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC): Plant a Tree for the Jubilee initiative. This is a tree planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022. Everyone across the UK is being invited to plant trees from October 2021, when the tree planting season begins, through to the end of the Jubilee year in 2022. 

Through this scheme, Woodland Trust supplied us with 2 boxes of Medium Year Round Colour and one Small Copse. Woodland Trust has been generously funded by Sainsbury’s, Lloyds Bank, Ovo Energy, DFS, Joules, Bank of Scotland, and Sofology to give away hundreds of thousands of trees to schools and communities.

A work party of John, Dave, Rob, and Sally arrived at the club at 8 am on March 16th and after a couple of hours work planted, caned, and protected all of the saplings which we received along the far side of the orchard pitches, and along the bottom edge also.

The saplings will grow into a gorgeous mix of silver birch, rowan, wild cherry, hazel, and dogwoods.

When grown these trees will not only provide climate protection, but berries for birds, autumn colour, and in leaf berry, and bark displays.

At CRFC we are doing our bit, to help the climate, local wildlife, and the visual impact of the club.

To find out more about QGC, please visit their website.

Two sports clubs at opposite ends of England are joining forces to support Ukraine and bring help to the unfolding refugee crisis. Canterbury Rugby Club and the Marine Football Club in Liverpool are jointly supporting an initiative by the Canterbury-based Marine Travel Company. The company is principal sponsor of both clubs. It is being driven by Marine Travel’s Managing director, Dave Thompson, who is actively assisting in the supply of vital materials to the people of Ukraine.

It is hard to move without being exposed to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Ukraine. The conflict has shocked and mobilised in equal measure. The political landscape is in the balance due to the protagonists involved, but that should not sway us from our moral obligation of offering support and comfort to the innocents caught up in the constant bombardment and uncertainty the Ukrainians currently find themselves in.

We must use all platforms available to us to advocate for a peaceful and humanitarian resolution. Sport has always been a global unifying voice and in this spirit, Canterbury RUFC and Marine FC have come together to support an initiative being driven by Marine Travel Managing Director Dave Thompson, sponsor of both teams.

At Canterbury RUFC warm clothes can be donated to be despatched to Krakow in Poland and distributed amongst the ever-growing populations of Ukrainian refugees seeking to escape the devastation unfolding in their country.

Online, a Go Fund Me page has been set up to collect financial donations that will be directly used to ease the suffering of those caught up in a situation not of their own making or design.

Both clubs will use their considerable online influence to promote Dave’s efforts to ensure we are doing more than just listening to what is happening but doing our part to join hands and help those in need.

Both clubs’ Chairmen stand united in their support.

“Team sport is reliant upon individuals to pull together to achieve their overall performance. The current circumstances in Ukraine highlight this. We must all be together to achieve.

Through one person, Dave Thompson, President of Marine AFC and Principal Sponsor of both Marine and Canterbury RFC, united through his company Marine Travel both Clubs are pleased to be supporting his initiative to bring much-needed aid and humanitarian supplies to war-torn Ukraine. Please visit either Club’s website or donated financially through the Go Fund Me link”
Giles Hilton MBE, Canterbury RUFC Chairman

“At this time, we need to stand together to support the people of Ukraine who are facing such terrible circumstances, and Canterbury RUFC and Marine FC are united in the message that we all need to do what we can to help what is a dreadful situation which in 2022 should not be happening.

Marine FC and Canterbury RUFC are both sponsored by Marine Travel and MD Dave Thompson who is actively assisting to provide aid in the supply of vital materials to the people of Ukraine at the borders of Poland and Ukraine.”
Paul Leary, Chairman Marine FC

The Go Fund Me page can be found at this address – https://www.gofundme.com/f/ukraine-supply-support-trip-by-england-fan

Marine FC – https://marinefc.com/

Media contact
Canterbury RUFC – Denys Andrianjafy communications@cantrugby.co.uk

Please help.

As the humanitarian crisis unfolds, it is difficult to envisage the hardship the innocents caught up in the conflict are having to endure on an hour to hour, and even minute to minute basis. The uncertainty of where safe corridors for evacuation are, and if they are even safe, how families can keep warm and feed themselves to stave off exhaustion, and whether civilians can have the slightest moment of respite as the invading juggernaut rolls ever closer.

It is heart-warming to see how many have stepped up to either make their voices of protest heard or provided supplies and support to be sent directly to those in need. Our Principal Sponsor, Marine Travel, is one such organisation, and Canterbury Rugby Club is proud to support their appeal and effort.  We are collecting warm clothing for all ages, and blankets to be taken to Krakow and distributed amongst the tens of thousands of refugees who have had to flee their homes often, with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Men, women, and children fearing for their lives and that of their loved ones, forced to abandon their homes and throw themselves at the mercy of neighbouring countries and agencies in the hope of finding safety, security, and an opportunity to rebuild their lives. Time is critical and there is a need to mobilise quickly to get aid to those who need it the most.

There will be a drop-off point at the Marine Travel Ground, Merton Lane North, Canterbury,  CT4 7DZ. It will be open from Monday 14th March till Saturday 19th March.

Drop-off time between 8.30 am and 7.00 pm. The collection point will be located under the covered area of the clubhouse and clearly signposted.

Please ensure that your donations are washed and clean.

If you also have any spare Dollars or Euros, please bring them too as that will go towards the purchase of perishables once the clothing parcels reach Krakow. You will be able to hand them in to the Staff at our club restaurant Saucy Flo’s, Tuesday to Saturday – 8.00 am – 12.00 pm and 6.00 pm – 8.00 pm

If you cannot make it to the club, yet still wish to donate, Dave Thompson, Managing Director of Marine travel, has set up a Go Fund Me page. To donate, please go to  – https://bit.ly/ukraine-go-fund-me

Thank you for all of your support and continued generosity.

It is very difficult at the moment not to be overwhelmed by the humanitarian crisis that is unfolding in Ukraine following Russia’s recent military incursion. It is not just world leaders and international business entities, sports federations, and charitable organisations scrambling to offer aid and support to a nation under siege, but individuals are also stepping up as the fighting takes a terrible civilian toll.

One such individual is Bennjamyn Smith, CEO of BRS education, and one of our Mini and Youth Section sponsors.  Benn has been working in Ukraine for 15 years supporting a village, and taking UK children from the schools he has worked at to run holiday programmes for children in Makoshino on the River Desna. Not only does he support summer camps that teach English, Sport, and First Aid, his organisation also financially supports the Kindergarten (Nursery), School, Hospital Palace of Culture (Town Hall, Drama Theatre, and Sports Hall). In addition to this, they provide financial support with purchasing of facilities, staff wages, and running costs for the Arrata or social services for the village and Mena District.

Thank you.