THE HOME of the game’s MP has taken the Commons and Lords Parliamentary Rugby Team to the pitch for the first time since the pandemic began – raising £1,500 for UK veterans in the process.
The Commons and Lords RFC played their annual charity match against a British Army Vets XV in aid of Combat Stress, the UK’s leading charity for veterans’ mental health.
Rugby MP and club chair Mark Pawsey joined a number of his Parliamentary colleagues and members of staff on the Parliamentary estate to play the match at the Honorary Artillery Company in central London.
The match finished 36-34 in favour of the British Army team.
The Commons and Lords play a version of ‘golden oldies’ rules similar to ‘touch rugby’, with the emphasis on preventing injury to older players through uncontested scrums and players being held rather than tackled to the ground.
Mr Pawsey said: “It was great to be able to get back on the rugby pitch with the Commons and Lords Rugby Football Team and raise money for such a worthy cause.
“Sport has always been a way to bring people together, and the importance of this has only been highlighted by the pandemic and the restrictions it has placed on many of the activities which we enjoy.
“I want to thank the British Army Vets for playing such a close and entertaining game, with both teams evenly matched right up to the final whistle.”
Combat Stress specialises in helping former servicemen and women with mental health problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression. Since it was founded in 1919, it has supported veterans from every service and every conflict in which UK forces have been involved.
Over 80 per cent of the funding raised by the game will go directly to veteran treatment and support.
Mr Pawsey addded: “The Commons and Lords Team has always looked to support charities and matches such as this have always been a highlight. This year we chose Combat Stress, who work closely with those who have served our country in some of the most challenging circumstances. The money we have raised will enable Combat Stress to continue to provide highly specialised treatment to UK veterans at their centres in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.”
