Send Off Scotland To The Rugby World Cup In Style

Supporters have the chance to send off the Scotland squad to this autumn’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in style at a gala farewell dinner in Glasgow. The dinner will take place on Thursday 25 August – just two days before the squad fly out for the seventh Rugby World Cup tournament and proceeds from the glittering occasion will be presented by the squad to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Fund. The dinner will be held at the Radisson Blu hotel in Glasgow and is being organised by Hearts & Balls the charity which helps rugby help its own._Scotland captain Alastair Kellock with Radisson waitress Sarah Murray_Hearts & Balls director Jim Littlefair said today: Rugby World Cup is the world’s third biggest sporting event and Im sure it will be a magnificent occasion.’scotland have a proud record in the tournament._ Since the inaugural competition in New Zealand and Australia in 1987 Scotland have always reached the quarter-finals.As rugby supporters we wanted to say to coach Andy Robinson and the squad Good luck, were proud of you and the whole country is behind you, and we thought a farewell dinner was an appropriate way to reinforce that.We also wanted to show that, as Scots, we are a warm-hearted and generous people._ We discussed with Andy and members of the Scotland management team and together we have decided that proceeds from the dinner will go to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Fund.Tickets for the dinner can be bought from the Hearts & Balls website www.heartsandballs.org.uk._ The evening will feature a drinks reception, four course dinner and half bottle of wine per head, after dinner entertainment from renowned raconteur Willie Hunter and music from the Lismore Ceilidh Band._ A table of ten costs ?990 and all members of the Scotland squad and management will be present.Scotland head coach Andy Robinson said: It’s very humbling that Hearts and Balls should wish to put on this dinner on behalf of the players and we whole-heartedly support the initiative that all proceeds will be donated to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Fund.’the TV pictures we saw from a beautiful city that many of us know well when the earthquake occurred last February gave us a little insight to what the people of Christchurch have had to endure these last few months.It will be our intention to present the proceeds from the evening to the Mayor of Christchurch during our time in New Zealand.Glasgow Warriors lock Alastair Kellock, who captained Scotland during the most recent RBS 6 Nations Championship, added: Many of the players in the provisional Rugby World Cup squad will be gathering at Murrayfield this Monday to begin our preparations for the tournament and everyone in the squad will be working hard over the next few weeks, determined to make the final squad and be on that plane to New Zealand.On behalf of the players I would like to add my thanks to Hearts and Balls for organising this farewell dinner. It’s such an honour that people should wish to show their support in such a tangible and generous fashion.Notes to editors: Rugby brings immense pleasure and a sense of community to millions of people. But, occasionally, it brings tragedy instead – like many other sports. Though it happens very rarely, injuries can be serious and life-changing. Hearts and Balls aims to ensure that, in times of need, those connected with rugby are supported by the wider rugby community. More information on Hearts and Balls can be found on their website: www.heartsandballs.org.uk