Rugby club ‘chain gang’ walk raises £1,700

MEMBERS and friends of Melksham Rugby Club recently raised £1,700 in a ‘chain gang’  fun event which saw them find their way from Devizes back to the club in Melksham.

The event, on Saturday 18th June saw club members and friends raise funds for Dorothy House and for the club.

Fundraiser Katie Chappell said, “The event was a sponsored walk from a mystery start point back to Melksham RFC. With minibuses lent by Aloeric School, Melksham Air Cadets and A&G Minibuses, the teams made it to the starting point in good time.

“Before the getaway we held a minute’s silence in remembrance of those known to us who have recently passed away.

“The chain gang teams had to navigate from the Devizes White Horse back to Melksham Rugby Club physically chained together and dressed in white coveralls, kindly donated by Chappell Associates of Westbury.

“Tasks they had to complete en route included the safe transportation of a raw egg, evidence of the journey with photos outside checkpoints and landmarks, finding the longest feather and taking a selfie of the team inside a red telephone box.

“The checkpoints were pubs in Devizes, Seend and Melksham that had to be identified through cryptic clues. These pubs kindly donated refreshments and encouragement along the way,  and their hospitality surpassed expectations.

“The checkpoints were The Bell on the Green; The British Lion; ,The White Bear; The Silk Mercer;  The Crown; The Three Magpies; The Brewery; The Barge Inn; The Pilot; The Milk Churn; The New Inn; The West End Inn, and Moles Brewery.

“We would like to say a huge thanks to the checkpoints, Aloeric School, Melksham ATC, A&G Minibuses, Emily Knight from Dorothy House, Andrew and Elaine Chappell, Sam Strong from Hobbybase, Wayne Davies, Nathan Irving, Steve Sullivan, and David and Caroline Williams, and to the chain gangs themselves.

“We hope everyone involved had a fantastic day; the weather certainly helped! The committee have already turned their thoughts to next year’s event – let’s see what 2017 brings!”