Wooden Spoon is the children’s charity of the rugby world. For 25 years Spoon has harnessed the spirit and values of rugby to give disadvantaged children in Britain and Ireland a chance to achieve their full potential in life.

Over this time more than 350 projects have been supported with over £15million given in grants to national and local projects. Over 2000 fundraising events have been held supported by 10,000 plus social members. Funds raised have enhanced the lives of more than 500,000 children, young people and their families.

In 2008 alone 62 new projects were initiated with a total of £1,822,000 committed. More than 30 new projects were unveiled of which seven were opened by Spoon’s Royal Patron, Her Royal Highness, Princess Anne. In total over 25,000 more children and young people were helped by Spoon during 2008. Projects have ranged from sensory rooms, interactive gardens and playgrounds for special needs children through to support centres, IT equipment for training centres, hydrotherapy pools and rugby projects to combat bullying, violence, obesity and discrimination.

The four Rugby Home Unions are additional patrons along with the Rugby Football League making Spoon the only Children’s charity that raises funds across both codes of rugby. Other active supporters include Richard Hill, Kyran Bracken, Lawrence Dallaglio, Neil Jenkins, Willie John McBride, Gavin Hastings and Jason Leonard. There are 43 active regional committees run by more than 500 volunteers working to raise funds locally for local projects.

Spoon’s guiding principle has been “to have fun while fundraising.” This principle has seen the charity achieve tremendous success in a short period of time. Today, Wooden Spoon can count itself among the top national charities in the UK.

For more information on Wooden Spoon please visit www.woodenspoon.com

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