On Tuesday 27th October, the RFU President, Jeff Blackett, and his wife Sally completed the fifth leg of their 150 mile walk to raise funds for the Injured Players Foundation and to celebrate 150 years of the RFU.
The walk started at Bedford Athletic Rugby Club, where Jeff and Sally were welcomed by Trevor Mulvaney, Chairman of Bedford Athletic, and Nick Powley, President of EMRU. The Blacketts were accompanied on their walk by club members from Ampthill, Bedford, Northampton BBOB, Northampton Casuals, Northampton Mens Own, Old Northamptonians, and Stockwood Park, with the East Midlands and East Midlands Referees also represented. During the 10-mle walk through the Bedfordshire countryside, which took in the villages of Ravensden and Renhold, Jeff took the opportunity to listen to the views of the walkers about issues pertinent to rugby clubs and the rugby community in the East Midlands.
The day was rounded off with an informal question and answer session at Bedford Athletic, where the walkers were joined by other club members and members of the East Midlands Executive committee. To recognise the occasion, Jeff Blackett was presented with an East Midlands cap. A raffle was held before the Q and A session to support the fund raising, but there is still an opportunity for clubs or individuals to donate via the following link: https://rfuipf.enthuse.com/cf/rfu-presidents-150th-walk
