Hartlepool Rugby Club receives over £11,000 in vital support from British Gas Energy for Tomorrow Fund
A grassroots Hartlepool sports club hit hard by rising energy costs can now see the light after smashing a £20,000 fund-raising target.
Hartlepool Rugby Football Club, a cornerstone of the community for more than 130 years, has received over £11,000 in support from the British Gas Energy for Tomorrow Fund in a major boost to their urgent bid for new floodlights.
The club, based at Mayfield Park, in Easington Road, is one of many throughout the country to benefit from the fund.
Thanks to the fund and their own generous supporters, the rugby club raised an incredible £21,457.
It will enable them to replace their outdated halogen floodlights with LED lighting, helping ensure it remains open and accessible, especially for their growing junior section.
Hartlepool Rugby Club said on a dedicated crowdfunding page: “To continue providing safe, accessible sport, especially for our growing junior section, we urgently need to replace our failing floodlights with modern LED lighting and install a battery system to boost our solar energy setup.
“This will improve safety, cut energy costs and reduce our carbon footprint.”
The club has seen a rapid expansion of its junior as the club makes it free for them to play.
It added: "Like many community clubs, rising energy costs have hit us hard. Without reliable floodlights, winter training and evening games are at risk – threatening our growth, safety and inclusivity.”
After hitting their target, the club will now move ahead with the new LED floodlights, due to be installed in December.
The money will also go towards a battery system in the New Year to their solar setup to help lower bills further and improve their energy independence.
The club added: “Your generous donations mean we can now go ahead and replace the LED floodlights, with the installation scheduled for December.
“This will significantly reduce our energy costs and help us make even greater improvements to our club and community.”
The much-needed funding comes as new research shows 86% of UK grassroots sports clubs say reducing energy costs is one of the top three challenges threatening their ability to operate.