LooseHeadz fundraisers raise £69k with epic sevens challenge
Provisional world records have been set for the longest ever men’s and women’s rugby sevens matches – lasting 28 hours each, reports the RFU's Dan Robertshaw
The two games were played as part of the ‘24/7s’ event staged by mental health charity LooseHeadz, which has so far received more than £69,000 in donations for the cause.
Held at Sandbach RUFC in Cheshire, the challenge saw players and referees alternate in roughly three-hour shifts, starting at 12pm on Friday and playing until 4pm the next day.
Physios, caterers and volunteers were also on hand to help the event run smoothly and support the teams through the night for their gruelling challenge in the name of mental health.
Sandbach RUFC player and LooseHeadz 24/7s volunteer Mike Grapes has experienced first-hand the difference that a support network can make.
When his brother took his own life several years ago, Grapes turned to the support of his local rugby club and was eventually inspired to get involved with mental health charities such as LooseHeadz.
“When my brother took his own life, he was only 27,” he said.
“It hit me hard. I was really lucky – I was new to the team, but a lot of them rallied around me, reached out and kept me going over the summer. It gave me a bit of spur just to see what I could do about the mental health in our community.
“The coming together for today has been amazing. It just shows how big the community at LooseHeadz is. For anyone out there that’ struggling with their mental health, I would say get down to your local rugby club, whether it’s playing or volunteering, and get involved.
“The rugby community really is like one big family.”
