Former Northampton Saints players’ have united to show their support for the Foundation by sponsoring a student.
Budge Pountney, who lead the project, joined Northampton Saints as an 18-year-old and played for the men in Black, Green and Gold between 1994-2004. He became Captain of both Northampton Saints and Scotland during his career and was part of the team who won the five nations and the Heineken cup.
Budge’s first involvement with the Foundation came when he submitted a recipe for the charity’s cookbook, Scrummy Feasts, which features past and present player recipes plus coaching and management staff.
The ex-Flanker, who made 215 appearances during his time playing for Saints, approached the Foundation to see how he could support further. After discussing opportunities with the Foundation team Budge reached out to his former teammates to raise funds towards the Sponsor a Student scheme each contributing £50, raising a total of £1,150.
The money raised from the scheme creates an infrastructure of skills, people, resources and facilities that means the Foundation can continue to use the values of Northampton Saints and the power of sport to INSPIRE, SUPPORT and EDUCATE young people within our community.
“We were all delighted to get involved with Northampton Saints Foundation and didn’t need to think twice about offering support. We hope that our fundraising will help the Foundation to continue its excellent work.”
Budge Pountney, former Northampton Saints player
During the 2020-2021 academic year the Foundation supported over 6,000 young people through their social inclusion and education programmes which builds the confidence and self-esteem of young people and works within schools to aid their learning, giving them a positive future.
Mental health charity YoungMinds reported a 52% rise in referrals to NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Heath Services in 2020, when the covid pandemic was at a high. This surge has had a direct impact on the Foundation’s services, with referrals reaching an unprecedented amount, as the Foundation opened additional hubs and recruited new staff to support the young people in need.
Sue Wright, the Foundation’s Fundraising Officer added ‘We are so grateful to receive the support of ex-players, we are inspired by the history of Northampton Saints and they all play a key part of where the club is today’.
The Foundation would like to say a special thank you the following players who contributed Budge Pountney, Simon Hepher, Paul Tupai, Matt Lord, Harvey Thorneycroft, Matt Allen, Martin Hynes, Phil Pask, Matt Stewart, Simon Emms, David Elkington, Lennie Newman, Robbie Morris, Brett Sturgess, Paul Larkins, Matt Volland, Jon Sleightholme, Ian Vass, Darren Fox, Jon Phillips, Ben Cohen, Mark Soden, Simon Foale.
If you would like to Sponsor a Student, or would like further ways how you can support the young people at the Foundation, please contact Sue Wright.
