The Club been raising money for 2 charities by walking, running, swimming, etc, the distance equivalent to Keswick, Cumbria to Keswick, Virginia, USA and return.

We issued a challenge to our players and members in January to achieve a virtual journey from Keswick to Keswick, Virginia, USA by the end of February, raising £500 for 2 charities at the same time. The initial target of £500 was achieved earlier than anticipated and a new target of £1000 set. The end of February meant the end of the challenge and the virtual journey of 7,516 miles return by canoe (yes someone did) running, walking, swimming and cycling. Over 150 members of the club covered 10,864 miles with the various types of exercise noted. Those who took part included senior players, supporters, committee members, juniors with families, informal groups and many more. This has been a fantastic effort by all concerned with the not inconsiderable matter of raising £1253 so far, to be shared between our 2 charities - Teenage Cancer Trust and Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary Tiny Lives Matter. Big thanks are due to all who took part and a special shout out goes to our Head Coach Richard Metcalf who had the idea to do it.

An update on return to playing. The government have announced that organised outdoor sport can start again on 29th March. The RFU are in consultation with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and expect to announce later this week what format will be allowed for rugby. We are keen to restart playing and with the safety of players, supporters and club members remaining paramount, will ensure that any return to playing is done properly. After a year without contact sport it is important that players are able to train correctly so as to be able to play the game safely.

The staged return announced by the government puts restrictions on numbers allowed to congregate outside until at least 21st June, which will have an impact as well. As a result it is not anticipated that there will be competitive rugby for Keswick in what remains of this season, though hopefully there will be the opportunity for a friendly game before the usual summer touch rugby begins again.