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HIRE A HERO GORILLAS RUGBY CLUB

GORILLA NEWS – JANUARY 2015

‘Lead me, follow me, or get the hell out of my way’. GEORGE S PATTON JNR

@GorillasRugby

Hire A Hero Gorillas

GorillasRugby

Gorillas GorillasRugby hireahero


WELCOME Hire A Hero Gorillas Rugby Club would like to welcome all to the January 2015 newsletter. The aim of the newsletters is to provide an overview of the work that the Hire a Hero Gorillas have been conducting over the previous 3 months, and to also provide a brief look forward to future events. ABOUT US Hire a Hero is a registered charity that provides support for military personnel who have served our country. The charity was formed to ease the difficult transition from military to civilian life by offering assistance with employment, training, housing, and care as well as specialist support for the injured. The affiliated charity rugby club, aka ‘The Gorillas’ are a tool used to promote the charity and raise awareness for the cause worldwide, as well as making direct donations to the charity from our own fundraising efforts. SPONSORS As always, and on behalf of all at Hire A Hero Gorillas Rugby Club, we’d like to thank our personal donors and sponsors, whom without their generous support, the club would not function: o Dytecna o SRX Security o Zoo Sports o Masons Textiles o The Grammar School at Leeds o WR Active Learning o The Yorkshire Knee Clinic o The 2020 Group

o The Horse & Farrier, Otley o North Bar, Otley o Guilt Free Takeaway, South

Shields o Cross Compliance Solutions Ltd

(CXCS) o Howden’s Joinery CO.,

Leominster


We would also like to welcome, with gratitude, a new sponsor on-board:

o Sintons Law, Newcastle, with thanks to Charles Penn

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of Hire A Hero Gorillas Rugby Club, please contact [email protected] SEPTEMBER – DECEMBER 2014 REVIEW

The ‘12 in 12’ challenges continue.

The Gorillas Challenge kick-starts 2015.

Up close and personal with Brad Talbot in the Gorilla Player Profile.

Saturday 27th December saw The Gorillas play the North East Barbarians at Kingston Park, Newcastle.

Jon Coffey’s Summer of 69

Hereford RFC’s 22nd annual Golf Day. LOOK FORWARD TO…

Easter 2015 – The Gorillas Ball

May 2015 – The Gorillas look to defend The Churchill Cup...


Stuart Calder It is with great sadness that this newsletter starts with us at Hire a Hero Gorillas RFC expressing our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Stuart Calder, who sadly passed in October 2014. Stuart has been vital to the success of The Gorillas, particularly in our infancy as a club. It is thanks to him, and many others like him, we have been able to contribute to the on-going work of Hire a Hero in their support to military personnel who are struggling to adapt to life after service. All at The Gorillas are proud to have known Stuart. His tragic passing only serves to epitomise the character of a man who embodied the very best qualities, which we all aspire to. Since his passing, The Stuart Calder Fund has been established with over £20,000 already having being donated in his memory. The Fund will be used to support two Leeds based Charities. More details can be found at: www.justgiving.com/stuartcalderfund

http://www.justgiving.com/stuartcalderfund


‘12 IN 12’ CHALLENGE So far this year Gorilla Haydn Richards and his team have tackled the Cheviot Hills, conquered Kilimanjaro and Hawaii’s Mauna Kea and crossed the UK both by bike and on foot; and still Haydn marches on! November saw the team complete the ‘Everest Challenge’; climbing the equivalent of Mount Everest, carrying the weight an Everest Sherpa would carry. The event was extremely taxing on the legs, with some of the participants struggling to walk for a few days after! January will see Haydn and his team take to the river Tyne to open canoe a large section of it. The team has had to undergo training for this event as it's quite a dangerous section of the river and a number of fatalities have occurred there. The January event will take Haydn to challenge number 11. The team have decided to keep the challenges going into 2015, further promoting Hire a Hero, The Gorillas, and keeping people involved and active. If you would like to be involved in future events, please contact [email protected].

You can continue to show your support to Haydn and The Gorillas by donating online: http://www.bmycharity.com/gorillas12in12.

http://www.bmycharity.com/gorillas12in12


BE A GORILLA! HIRE A HERO GORILLAS MERCHANDISE Zoo Sports continues to offer everyone the chance to become a Gorilla off the pitch, with Hire A Hero Gorillas Rugby Club merchandise available online. This high quality kit is retailing at competitive and affordable prices allowing The Gorilla family to grow, and importantly to contribute to Hire A Hero and the worthwhile work the charity undertake. Special thanks continue to go to Dave Peyton at Zoo Sports for his efforts in support of Hire A Hero and The Gorillas. For Hire A Hero Gorillas Rugby Club sportswear, leisurewear and gym wear visit www.zoo-sport.co.uk CAPOLOGY (www.capology.co.uk) have designed a collection of bespoke Gorilla caps, which are available in their Newcastle store on High Bridge Road and are available pitch side at all Gorillas games. GORILLAS ON THE RISE With the Zoo Sports exclusive online shop, a pitch side shop and Gorillas everywhere joining in on Twitter and Facebook, The Hire A Hero Gorillas are continuing to grow, and fast! The Horse & Farrier, Otley (@TheHorseFarrier), have joined in the cause with The Gorilla Burger. A feast for any man, the burger contains every optional extra! Even better, 50p from every sale goes to Hire A Hero!

http://www.zoo-sport.co.uk/

http://www.capology.co.uk/


Not to be outdone, Guilt Free Takeaway, South Shields (@GuiltFreeNE33, www.guiltfreetakeaway.co.uk), have created the Hire A Hero Gorilla Juice Smoothie, a delicious smoothie topped off with strawberry protein! 50p from each sale also goes to Hire A Hero. The North Bar in Otley (@north_bar_otley, www.northbar.com) have also got in on the action, hosting a raffle with Hire A Hero Gorillas RFC merchandise as prizes. Core Hygiene Ltd and ESP continue to work together to provide industrial blue wiping roll throughout the West Midlands and South Wales area in support of Hire A Hero, with both companies donating to Hire A Hero for each unit sold. For more information, contact Sully or Core Hygiene Ltd on 01432 358599. Palidin Sports, a sports team-wear supplier, have designed a Gorillas/Hire a Hero headguard, with £5 from each sale going straight to Hire a Hero. For more information please contact Connor Sullivan on [email protected]. Hire a Hero and Gorillas car stickers are still available at £3 (plus postage and packaging), courtesy of Nigel Pass at Proactive Resource Ltd, with sales so far having raised well in excess of £1000. Please contact [email protected] to place an order. If your business would like to get involved, or if you are interested in becoming a sponsor of Hire A Hero or The Gorillas Rugby Club please contact [email protected] to find out how you can help.

THE FIRST ANNUAL GORRILAS CHALLENGE

http://www.guiltfreetakeaway.co.uk/


As we roll into January, many of The Gorillas will be burning off the Christmas indulgences with January’s Gorillas Challenge; an ‘against the clock’ aerobic sprint session. Since its launch in September 2014, the Gorillas Challenge has seen competitors of all shapes and sizes, ages and abilities compete in monthly physical challenges, designed by fitness industry professional Will St Leger. Previous challenges have involved an outdoor, rowing and gym based circuits. Requiring minimal equipment, the Gorillas Challenge is a perfect way to develop personal fitness, and is easily adoptable for teams and gyms alike. Each month, a ‘Silverback of the Month’ award is given to the best score from each category, and overall scores are placed in leagues competing for the King Kong Award. Do you have what it takes to win the 2014-15 King Kong award? Sign up today at www.gorillaschallenge.co.uk and invite as many friends and colleagues as you can to do the same. £1 a month towards an incredibly worthy cause is nothing, but can make a real difference. Contact [email protected] to find out more.

http://www.gorillaschallenge.co.uk/


GORILLA PROFILE Name: Brad Talbot (Man of the Match in the previous Gorillas game)

Height: 6’ 2”

Weight: 108kg Age: 22

Position: Number 8 Rugby history: Joined Hereford RFC at 15 after misspending his youth

playing football. North Mids U18, Luctonians, North Mids Snrs. Q&A How did you become involved with Hire A Hero and The Gorillas: ‘Bob ‘The Dog’ (Gorillas Director of Rugby) was my coach at Hereford Colts and 1s. He asked if I would be interested in representing the charity and the rest is history.’ Your best rugby moment? ‘Winning the North Mids league, North Mids cup and getting to the last 16 in the National Cup in the same year with


Hereford Colts.’ Hero growing up? ‘Lawrence Dallaglio.’ First position played? ‘Number 8.’ Motto for life? ‘Play rugby. Eat, sleep, drink.’ What other sport did you compete in at school? ‘Football, basketball, tennis, badminton, swimming and cricket.’ Toughest team faced? ‘Macclesfield.’ Do you have any superstitions before a game? ‘No.’ Favourite drink? ‘Cider.’ What would you have for your last meal? ‘Beef roast dinner with all the trimmings.’ In my spare time I like to… : ‘Watch movies. In the summer I play cricket and football.’ Three words that describe me: ‘Funny, kind, mischievous.’ And finally, what makes a Gorilla? ‘Someone who is willing to commit to Hire a Hero and give 100% on the pitch.’

Thanks Brad.


HIRE A HERO GORILLAS vs NORTH EAST BARBARIANS 27 DECEMBER 2014

Hire A Hero Gorillas 5 – NE Barbarians 24. “Hire a Hero do some outstanding work supporting ex-military personnel as they adapt to civilian life. They have a huge association with rugby and with the north east so it makes obvious sense that they are part of one of our biggest matches of the year.” Not our words, but those of Mick Hogan, Managing Director of Newcastle Falcons, in the weeks prior to the most recent fixture.

The 27th of December would see the Hire a Hero Gorillas take on the North East Barbarians; comprising of players from 11 North East teams. Going up against an extremely high calibre of players, the game was to be the toughest challenge to date for the Gorillas. With the full support of Newcastle Falcons and Saracens, the game was set as the curtain raiser to the Aviva Premiership fixture at Kingston Park.


In what was undoubtedly a game of two halves, it was the NE Barbarians who dominated the first half, though the sturdy defence of the Gorillas withheld the attack for nearly 15 minutes, until the BaaBaas finally broke through. Not disheartened by an early score, though unable to maintain possession or gain territory, the Gorillas defence continued to work hard with some try-saving tackles and a physicality that the BaaBaas were unlikely to have expected; Dez White’s last gasp tackle seeing the BaaBaas winger safely into touch preventing one score. However, the BaaBaas attacking style soon began to take its toll, with the whitewash being crossed a further 2 times before the half was out. Gorilla Haydn Richards was awarded a yellow card and a rest for his enthusiasm at the breakdown just before the BaaBaas final try of the half. Half time score; 17 – 0 to the BaaBaas. The second half, however, was to tell a different story. Despite an early glitch which saw the BaaBaas grab another try, it was the Gorillas that played the attacking rugby. Playing with territorial advantage and a nothing-to-lose attitude, the Gorillas were soon pressing hard against the experienced BaaBaas defence. Despite some clever phase play and fresh legs, a number of attacking opportunities were squandered; the wet, greasy ball leaving no room for error. Finally, however, the tables turned. A superb solo effort from Gorilla debutant Morgan Goodall saw him leave his opposite number for dust on the half way life as a chip over the top took all by surprise. A lucky bounce and a clinical step around the full back saw Goodall in over the line. Unfortunately, the drop goal effort at a conversion was just wide. It wasn’t all Gorilla ball however, and the BaaBaas continued to attack at every opportunity. Clever running in the midfield saw the BaaBaas’ Aron Myers break through the Gorillas defence, only to be halted in his tracks by Westoe’s own Ben Roberts, who had an outstanding second half at Full Back.


Finishing the half strong, the Gorillas continued to press into the BaaBaas 22 but neither time nor luck were on their side. The final whistle brought to a close what was a very competitive game, despite the final score; Hire a Hero Gorillas 5 – North East Barbarians 24. All at the Gorillas had a fantastic time at Kingston Park and special thanks must go to the staff at Druids Park for their hospitality, the North East Barbarians and all at Newcastle Falcons and Saracens RFC’s for their support in this fixture.

Hire a Hero Gorillas Gareth Nesbit (Darlington Mowden Park) Alex Clark (Westoe) Max Holmes (Medicals) Connor Sullivan (Hereford) Chris Dodd (Darlington Mowden Park) Chris Judson (Westoe) Dez White (Northern) Fred Holmes (Medicals) Dave Haswell (Westoe) Lloyd Collier (Hereford) Matt Thompson (Darlington Mowden Park) Peter Tennett (Westoe) Robbie Kalbrier (Blaydon) Nathan Clarke (Musselburgh) Haydn Richards (Westoe) Brad Talbot (Luctonians) Scott Harman (Richmond) Andy Wilson (Darlington Mowden Park) Joe Maw (Durham City) Dominic Connolly (Westoe) Mike Secker (Hereford) Ben Roberts (Westoe) Morgan Goodall (Hereford) Chris Laycock (Westoe) North East Select XV Micky Ward (Blaydon) Matt Hall (Blaydon) Richie Horton (Middlesbrough) Ian Bradford (Middlesbrough) Chris Wearmouth (Blaydon) Rob Bell (RAF, Blaydon) Aron Myers (Darlington Mowden Park) James Ponton (Percy Park) Peter Wright (Middlesbrough) Stu Waites (West Hartlepool) Will Peberthy (Berwick) Eldon Myers (Navy, West Hartlepool) Chris Hyndman (Billingham) James Phillips (Morpeth) Carl Hill (Morpeth) Scott Powell (Tynedale) Rory Duff (Darlington Mowden Park) Mark Bedworth


(Durham City) Lee Richardson (Acklam) Jon Benson (Ryton) Neil Bagget (Windsor) Tom McCullough (Northern) Chris McCabe (Gosforth)

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of Hire A Hero Gorillas Rugby Club, please contact [email protected].

JON COFFEY ‘SUMMER OF 69’ CHALLENGE 2014 has been a busy year for Gorilla Jon Coffey. Not only is he becoming a top rate dad to his 1 year old daughter, he has also won his work’s ‘Summer Bake-Off’, came top of the class in completing his post-grad studies and completed his own set of physical challenges for Hire a Hero!

Jon’s ‘Summer of 69’ Challenge involved a set of 4 challenges, covering 69 miles. He took on the Hadrian’s Wall half marathon in June, the Newcastle triathlon in July, a 14 mile run from Bamburgh to Craster in August, and the 27 mile Kielder Marathon in October! In addition to the actual events, Jon has pounded the streets of the North East for months


on countless training runs, made 2 appearances for the Gorillas and played a (nearly) full on season at Northern RFC. Congratulations Jon Coffey, and thank you to all those that have either donated or supported Jon throughout the year with the Summer of 69. You can continue to support Jon at www.bmycharity.com/summerof69.

HEREFORD RFC ANNUAL GOLF DAY Summer 2014 saw Hereford Rugby Club hold their 22nd annual golf day, and this year the club have chosen to support Hire a Hero. 64 players enjoyed a day of great golf and some refreshing beverages afterwards, raising over £1200 for Hire a Hero in the process. Special thanks goes to:

Spencer Goodall from Hereford RFC Greg and Tim Pattison Johnsons Lawn Seed Play Nightclub, Hereford

http://www.bmycharity.com/summerof69


FURTHER INFORMATION

For more information on the club and Hire a Hero, you can find us all over the internet: o HIRE A HERO WEBSITE: www.hireaherouk.org o GORILLAS WEBSITE: www.pitchero.com/clubs/hireaherorugby o EMAIL: [email protected] o TWITTER: @GorillasRugby o FACEBOOK: Hire a Hero Gorillas o INSTAGRAM: GorillasRugby o LINKEDIN: Hire a Hero Gorillas o GORILLAS DONATIONS: www.bmycharity.com/thegorillas o GORILLAS CHALLENGE: www.gorillaschallenge.co.uk o 12IN12 DONATIONS: www.bmycharity.com/Gorillas12in12 o SUMMER OF 69: www.bmycharity.com/summerof69

If you would like us to include something in the next newsletter, please contact: o [email protected] or o [email protected]

http://www.hireaherouk.org/

http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/hireaherorugby

http://www.bmycharity.com/thegorillas

http://www.gorillaschallenge.co.uk/

http://www.bmycharity.com/Gorillas12in12

http://www.bmycharity.com/summerof69

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