Sutton & Epsom RFC An amateur community rugby club

Sport England / Sutton & Epsom RFC / Change Foundation Crowdfunder

Many of you will be aware that for the past 4 years, S&E has been the home of Visually Impaired (VI) Rugby in the UK for which we host both the Harlequins and England VI teams. The VI game itself is run by The Change Foundation whom we have and continue to, work very closely with to promote the sport.

To that end, both S&E and the Change Foundation are proud to announce that we have secured conditional part-funding for some works to be undertaken at Rugby Lane which will benefit members and participants from S&E and VI Rugby.

The works will include:
– A new access path from our car park to the patio in front of the bar. This will improve the current stepped arrangement for VI players and indeed anyone who struggles with access around that area.
– A new access path from the back door of the Changing Rooms to the pitches
– Replacement of the main steps into the Grandstand which have become outdated and in need of repair.
– If money allows, we will also be introducing Braille signage at key areas of the Club to enhance the experience of Visually Impaired visitors to the Club.

The total cost of these works is c£9,900 and Sport England have approved a Grant for 50% of this (c£4,950), which is subject to the following conditions:

– Matched funding of at least £4,950
– Funding to come from at least 25 separate contributions
– Funding to be raised within 12 weeks of Campaign Launch (latter was 8 November 2025) which means we must raise these funds by 31 January.
– Failure to raise full amount means withdrawal of the offer.

If this is successful, we would then hope that the works would commence in Q1 2026.

As a Club, we are very mindful that our membership is in a period where demands on their finances are many and increasing, particularly at this time of year. If we could have delayed this project we would have done but Sport England Grants are not easy to come by and their conditionality can be tight. I am pleased to say that the Club has already made a donation of £560 which was raised during our Charity Day in August. Going forward, and along with our friends in the Change Foundation, we will be doing our best to raise the remainder.

So, to our request…
Please check out this link to the Crowdfunder https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/virugbyatserfc which includes a video of VI Rugby and S&E’s role in supporting it. It is truly inspiring. This also includes details of how you can donate. Please dig deep to do whatever you can (literally any amount helps) so we can get this project over the line.

Finally, thank you all in advance for your continued support and generosity.

Dennis Hegarty