Forthcoming Events
Past Events
Varsity Match
Date: 08/12/2011
The organisers of the Varsity Match have invited Alastair Hignell to be their guest of honour at the 130th meeting of Oxford and Cambridge at Twickenham Stadium on Thursday, 8 December.
Alastair was a double blue at Cambridge and played in four rugby Varsity Matches in the seventies. In recognition of his achievements as an Oxbridge student, the two clubs have agreed that the official Man of the Match award from this season onwards will receive the ‘Alastair Hignell Medal’.
And in another great gesture, the organisers have determined that ‘Higgy’s Heroes’ will be the official charity for the day of the game, giving us the ability to raise funds at the event for MSRC via a bucket collection.
Played since 1872, the Varsity Match pits Oxford against Cambridge in an annual struggle for rugby supremacy and inter-university bragging rights.
After 129 games down the years, Cambridge head the honours boards with 61 wins to Oxford’s 54. The scores’ tally is even tighter with the Light Blues leading by just 106 points after a century or more of clashes. The 2011 encounter promises to be as exciting as ever and you could be there!
To find out who’ll be singing the blues this year, order your tickets today and get yourself down to Twickers in time for the 2pm kick-off!
What’s more, with Christmas so close, the match also marks the start of the party-season proper - and we’ll be celebrating in style!
So, whether you’re a supporter of one of the teams, a fan of first-class rugby or simply looking for a great day out, the message is the same. Come and join the party and have a ball!
The Nomura Varsity Match 2011
Twickenham Stadium, Thursday, 8 December
Kick-off: 2:00pm
Under 21’s Kick-off: 11:30am
Tickets Adults £35 and £20 (adults) and £5 (school parties)
Online
RFU eTicketing site https://www.eticketing.co.uk/rfu/details/event.aspx?itemref=8952
Ticketmaster Online http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/event/350046F990DF2F11?camefrom=CFC_UK_RFU_EP081211&brand=UK_RFU
Phone
0844 847 2492
SPECIAL OFFER TO ‘HIGGY’S HEROES’
Buy a £20 or more ticket and £5 will go to the charity.
Stroud Half Marathon
Date: 23/10/2011
Stroud Half Marathon
Thank You!
Thank you to Jo, Matt and Jenny from Courtyard Clinic Physiotherapy & Chiropractic Clinic who volunteered for us at the Stroud Half Marathon!
Please visit their homepage http://www.courtyardclinic.com
Denstone to Alpe D'Huez bike challenge: 'Higgy's Heroes'
Date: 23/07/2011
In July 2011, five current or former Denstone College staff will set off to cycle over 800 miles from the College to Alpe d'Huez in France in order to raise money for Higgy's Heroes in support of the Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre.
At 49, Rob Ayton is the oldest of the team. He spoke recently about his reasons for getting involved: 'When a good friend of mine, a fine sportsman, was diagnosed with MS nearly 20 years ago, I knew very little about the condition; sadly, I now know a great deal. So when Jon suggested to me last year that we might ride to Alpe d’Huez in aid of Higgy’s Heroes, the combination of sporting challenge and aiding the MS Resource Centre was irresistible.
As a former marathon runner whose knees, tendons and calf muscles are, let’s say, showing some signs of wear and tear, I am finding the transition from high impact to very little impact very rewarding. And although I’ll never run a 3½-hour marathon again, the chance to test myself in an endurance event once more before I hit 50 can’t be missed!
So please help us towards our target of £5000: we’ve six weeks to go and every donation, however small, will be very welcome.'
Alistair Hignall said recently, 'I’ve always been proud to boast that you can rely on Denstone people to go the extra mile.To know that Jon Tomlinson and his Alpe d’Huez crew are going to go the extra mile times 800 makes them very special people and me very proud that they’re taking on this challenge as Higgy’s Heroes. MS is a life sentence, with precious little time off for good behaviour, but as the MSRC motto goes ‘Life is worth Living `. Jon and his team, and all other Higgy’s Heroes, will help to make life better for people with MS. Please support them in any way you can'.
The ride was the brainchild of Team Leader Jon Tomlinson, who recruited fellow cyclists Fran and Matt Porter, Rob Ayton and Matthew Bennett, as well as Catherine Stanley and Alun James, who will act as the support team for the ride.
Higgy's Heroes was set up by Alistair 'Higgy' Hignell, an Old Denstonian, and former international rugby player and first-class cricketer. Higgy was diagnosed with MS in 1999. The disease forced him to retire from his career as a commentator in 2008.
You can sponsor us via our Justgiving page - http://www.justgiving.com/Jonathan-Tomlinson0
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
So please dig deep and donate now.
The Ultimate Golfing Challenge
Date: 16/06/2011
The day was the 16th June and the ultimate golfing challenge lay ahead; 9 golfers with a combined age of 581 years would take on 54 holes which spanned 100 miles in 1 day – with all golf buggies banned from the three golf courses with the aim to raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre (MSRC).
Before the challenge senior captain, Norman Jeffery who had chosen Higgy’s Heroes for his chosen charity, said “Younger golfers might sometimes play two rounds in a day but it is very unusual to attempt three rounds, 54 holes, in one day – and particularly so at our ages and without using buggies.
“The wife of a very good friend of mine was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis 28 years ago and I have seen how the disease has affected them. That’s why I wanted to choose an MS charity during my year as seniors’ captain,” said Norman.
Senior captain, Norman’s account of the day…
“Well we did it! The first drive was made at Broome Manor at 5.50 am and the first of the three games walked off the 18th green at Wrag Barn at 7.50 pm to complete 54 holes of golf at Broome Manor, Carswell and Wrag Barn Golf Clubs all in the one day. The weather did not turn out to be anything like as bad as had been forecast and apart from a couple of very short showers it was ideal; not too hot. Yes we were a little tired but not to the extent which we had thought likely when we set off. Not bad for 9 seniors with an average age of 65!
The day was played in a great spirit and thoroughly enjoyed by all taking part, particularly Des Williams who had a hole in one on the 5th at Carswell. Congratulations go to the member’s team of Mike Summers, Des Williams and Charles McPhail who won the competition which ran throughout the day between the three teams; although this was certainly one day when the result really did not matter. Thanks to the other members of the Captain’s team, Mike Sheppard and Adrian Campbell, and the Past Captain’s team of Richard Beck, Charlie McDerment and Allan Mitchell.
The teams were greeted at the clubhouse by a crowd of almost 70 people, including Alastair Hignell and his wife Jeannie. Alastair is the Patron of the Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre, my charity for my year as Captain. We were very pleased to see Alastair and thank him for his very warm comments.
Currently it looks as if the event has been successful in raising over £3,700 which, after gift aid donations are taken into account, is likely to mean some £4,500 will have been raised for MSRC. My thanks go to everyone who so generously sponsored our efforts.”
Massive thanks to everyone who has taken part, donated and supported our Higgy’s Golfing Heroes.
If you would like to support Norman and co you can on their Justgiving page http://www.justgiving.com/higgysgolfingheroes
Stroud Half Marathon October 24th 2010
Date: 24/10/2010
With a beautiful crisp autumn morning, the 29th Stroud Half Marathon took place on Sunday 24th October. The usually sleepy town of Stroud was about to be invaded……. Higgy’s Heroes were back ready to conquer the half marathon distance!
Even those walking the route were determined to finish and at 9am, MSRC patron, Alastair ‘Higgy’ Hignell sounded the start horn and the walkers were off – the majority in MSRC green!
The main race commenced at 10am and in the sea of hundreds of runners, the Higgy’s Heroes team were ready for the off. Waved on by MaximuS and other supporters, over 70 Higgy’s Heroes took part in the race.
At Mile 2, the first cheering point at The Bay Tree Café was provided by Steve, Heather and Hannah Phillpott and helped spur the runners on, we don’t think anyone stopped for a bacon buttie!
At Mile 11, Alastair Hignell did the team proud by cheering on the Heroes and encouraging them in the last few miles, the jelly babies were also very welcome! Thanks to Alastair for doing such a fantastic job in supporting the team.
While the runners were out MaximuS was doing his best to stay out of mischief and wow the crowds. He was even allowed to get into the air ambulance – but only if he kept his paws to himself!
When the tired runners arrived at the finish line, there were met with a Higgy’s Heroes welcome from Jeannie Hignell and then directed to the MSRC post-race reception. We are very grateful to Attwoolls Marquees for loaning the marquee on the day which meant our fantastic team of physio’s, Sara, Liv and Vicki could provide much needed sports massage for the team.
The first Hero back was Tim Wallis in an amazing time of 01:14:04 and finished 13th overall, and our fastest female runner was Sarah Hanley in a fantastic time of 01:36:59.
Whilst all of our Heroes are fantastic, a special mention for Nic Allan, the very first Higgy’s Heroes barefoot runner!
We also had two Minchinhampton rugby players, Jamie Weaver and Pete Varley, dressed as Batman and Robin showing true hero spirit.
Andrew Parsonage, who completed his hat trick of 3 half marathons in just 2 months! Time for a rest now Andy!!
Thankfully, the weather stayed dry and the sun shone – many congratulations to all of our Higgy’s Heroes for taking part and if you would like to join the Higgy’s Heroes team for the 2011 Stroud Half Marathon, please contact abi@msrc.co.uk or call the MSRC office on 01206 505444.
Click here to see the Higgy's Heroes 2010 Stroud Photo's.
Higgy's Heroes X-Treme Challenge
Date: 12/09/2009
Simon’s X-treme Challenge
Not content with running marathons, Simon Barnes from Stroud has decided to run the length of Britian! Yes, that’s right, he is RUNNING from John O’Groats to Land’s End covering a distance of 871 miles in just over 2 weeks.
Read details of his incredible adventure here
http://www.msrc.co.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=show&pageid=2932
If you would like to donate to Simon's epic journey, please visit www.justgiving.com/sibar
I'm Not A Runner!
Date: 01/09/2009
Sara Povey – “I’m not a runner!” Sara is an osteopath who for the past 2 years has looked after the Higgy’s Heroes runners after the Stroud Half Marathon. Sara isn’t a runner but she wants to be one of Higgy’s Heroes so has donated her time to offer a range of “Sports Injury Talks” at various sports clubs in her local area. Sara makes no charge for her time and just asks for a donation to Higgy’s Heroes.
A fantastic way to give something back to the local community but also doing her bit for Higgy’s Heroes!
Arty Hero!
Date: 02/07/2009
Kathryn Thomas (Right) is a renowned artist who lives in Bristol and recently held an art exhibition where a very generous 15% of any paintings sold would be donated to MSRC. Kathryn herself, donated one picture that was auctioned by John Inverdale which raised £3,500 for Higgy’s Heroes.
Anyone can do anything to become one of Higgy’s Heroes, it doesn’t have to be a running event, we’ve had everything from Dart Marathon’s to Bungee Jumps, read more here:
http://www.msrc.co.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=show&pageid=2923
