Dallaglio Foundation News

30/07/10 - Troops treated at Glorious Goodwood

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Lawrence and the Foundation were joined by 200 members of the armed forces at the ‘Sporting Greats Day’ at Goodwood Racecourse this month, kicking off the ‘Glorious Goodwood’ horse racing festival in style.

The Foundation teamed up with Goodwood to support the Tickets for Troops charity, which donates tickets for major sporting and cultural events to servicemen and women, enabling them to attend the festival free of charge with their families.

Lawrence hosted an exclusive lunch along with sporting icons including Jason Leonard, Shane Warne and Matt Dawson before enjoying an afternoon of superb horse racing at the famous venue in South Downs, including the Dallaglio Foundation stakes which was won by Pabusar, ridden by Jim Crowley.

"I was thrilled and privileged to host such a great lunch at such a wonderful venue as Goodwood and meet all the guests from Tickets for Troops," said Lawrence.

For more information about Tickets for Troops, please click here.

29/07/10 - ABF The Soldiers' Charity benefit from gala dinner

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The Dallaglio Foundation were delighted to support ABF The Soldiers’ Charity earlier this month at a gala dinner hosted by Blenheim Capital Services at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.

Lawrence and the Foundation were kindly invited to the dinner by long-term partners Blenheim and elected The Soldiers’ Charity as their beneficiary from the evening, raising over £14,000 through generous pledges from guests at the event.

Trooper Stephen Shine, Lieutenant Garth Banks, Corporal Andy Reid and Adnan Sarwar, all of whom have received support from the charity, were in attendance and received a standing ovation from everyone in the room out of respect for their courage and bravery whilst serving for their country.

The entertainment for the evening was provided by Passionata, an all-female rock-opera group, whilst pledges were collected by six Grenadier Guards from Nijmegen Company in Woolwich.

The Dallaglio Foundation would like to thank Blenheim Capital Services for their invitation to the event and for the opportunity to support such a worthwhile cause.

For more information about ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, please click here.

Photo (left to right): Lieutenant Alex Bayliss, Lawrence Dallaglio OBE, Lieutenant Garth Banks. Image kindly provided by Gemma Redmonds.

19/07/10 - Lawrence kicks off the triathlon season

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Lawrence Dallaglio was a guest at the King Sturge Property Triathlon when he arrived at the event at Dorney Lake, Windsor, to meet participants and fire the starting gun for the wave of 40-42 year old males.

The annual event sees over 2,000 entrants take part in a 750m swim, 20km cycle ride and 5km run at the 2012 Olympic venue, and this year’s triathlon was held in aid of The Children’s Trust and Orchid charities which benefitted from a fundraising total of £120,000.

Lawrence will be returning to the Dorney Lake venue along with 200 Foundation supporters to take part in the Tri for Life triathlon on Sunday 5^th September, with proceeds from the Foundation wave going towards Cancer Research UK.

There are still limited places available in the Foundation wave, so if you’d like to join Lawrence, email matt@dallagliofoundation.com to register your interest, or click here for more details.

Pictured (left to right): Richard Batten, Joint Senior Partner of King Sturge; Helen Jenkins, 2008 World Women's Triathlon Champion; Lawrence Dallaglio OBE; Chris Ireland, Joint Senior Partner of King Sturge.

12/07/10 - Lawrence goes back to school!

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Lawrence Dallaglio returned to Ampleforth College in North Yorkshire this month to help raise funds for a new state-of-the-art rugby pitch at the school’s 2010 Sporting Dinner.

The former Wasps and England star, who attended the school as a senior school pupil, joined over 300 Old Amplefordians for this special reunion which raised £62,000 for the fantastic new facility. In recognition of Lawrence’s incredible rugby career and his support of the event, Ampleforth will rename the 1^st XV pitch ‘The Dallaglio Match Ground’ as a true legacy to their former pupil.

The fundraising element was boosted by an auction which included an England rugby shirt and 15 Ampleforth rugby shirts all signed by Lawrence, as well as eight of Lawrence’s incredible debenture seats for the international fixture between England and New Zealand at Twickenham.

Lawrence said: “It was an absolute pleasure to go back to Ampleforth and share happy memories with lots of old faces, as well as helping to raise a fantastic sum of money which will help the development of the school’s current generation of rugby players.

“I had a fantastic time here as a youngster and I’m delighted to be able to help an excellent cause.”

Jozef Mycielski, Development Director at Ampleforth, said: “We were so proud to welcome Lawrence back to Ampleforth and are very grateful for the enormous part he played in raising the funds for the new Dallaglio Match Ground.

"It was a very special evening for everyone in attendance and we hope to be able to welcome Lawrence and his family back to Ampleforth again soon.”

29/06/10 - Polo in the Park makes a MINT for charity!

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The Dallaglio Foundation helped to raise nearly £37,000 at the MINT Polo in the Park event at Hurlingham Park this month, with the proceeds being used to support Cancer Research UK.

A special lunch during proceedings at the prestigious event saw 650 polo enthusiasts dip into their pockets to take part in a game of ‘heads and tails’, a raffle and a live auction with top auctioneer Jonny Gould, while Lawrence Dallaglio was also in attendance.

The best-selling item in the auction was a fantastic holiday experience at the Camino Real Polo & Country Club in Argentina, which was kindly donated by Chris Highams of Engel & Völkers. This package, which fetched over £7,000, gives guests the chance to spend a week at the luxurious resort before being flown to the Hilton Yowen Hotel in Ushuaia for a three-night stay and then finishing the holiday in Buenos Aires.

The Foundation would like to give special thanks to MINT, World Polo and all the generous auction donors for their contributions to this event.

Our next event is the ‘Sporting Greats Day’ at Goodwood Racecourse on Tuesday 27^th July – click here for more information.

09/06/10 - 3 Cycleers Head For Scotland

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT

When most people think about travelling from Norfolk to Scotland, they'll consider driving, taking the train or even flying.

However when Dave, Richard & Steve were invited to join fellow long-standing Norwich Union Rugby Club stalwart Paul (PB) Barker for a birthday celebration at his newly built home in Knock (near Banff), they were quick to take inspiration from the Dallaglio Cycle Slam and decided to cycle the 750 miles instead.

Not only are The 3 Cycleers planning to cover the distance in 8 days (25th June 2010 to 2nd July 2010), but they also aim to raise £10,000 for the Dallaglio Foundation along the way.

If you'd like to find out more about the challenge and the route they are taking or would like to offer support, please visit their website at www.the3cycleers.com.

12/03/10 - Dallaglio Cycle Slam comes to an end

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Press release from the Dallaglio Cycle Slam

Lawrence Dallaglio today completed the 3,000km Dallaglio Cycle Slam as he strives to raise £1m for Sport Relief and the Dallaglio Foundation.

Dallaglio, accompanied by other celebrities including former footballers Lee Dixon, Ally McCoist and Les Ferdinand and ex-Scottish rugby players Gavin Hastings, Kenny Logan and Andy Nicol arrived at Murrayfield at midday today, one month after leaving the Stade Flaminio in Rome.

The team of cyclists rode through all of the RBS 6 Nations countries, taking in each of the international rugby stadia along the way. All net proceeds will be split equally between Sport Relief and the newly formed Dallaglio Foundation, whose beneficiaries include Cancer Research, DebRA, Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, Help for Heroes and the RPA Benevolent Fund.

Dallaglio, who founded the Dallaglio Foundation after the death of his mother in 2008, said: “It is fantastic to have reached the finish line. The Slam has been an epic journey and we are all elated to have reached the last stadium, Murrayfield.

"We have had fantastic support along the way with some great people joining us including the likes of Andrew Flintoff, Michael Vaughan and Will Greenwood. Everybody who has taken part deserves a beer tonight to celebrate, the cyclists have given so much effort and the support team has been brilliant every step of the way - I certainly couldn't have done this alone.

“We’re just short of our final target of £1m and need your help. We have done our bit, so I urge the public to do theirs’ and donate and help us reach the £1m for two deserving charities, Sport Relief and the Dallaglio Foundation.

“I started up the Dallaglio Foundation when my mother lost her courageous battle with cancer and it is my memories of her that kept me going through the snow, wind, rain, punctures and falls.

“I will enjoy the Calcutta Cup tomorrow, hopefully ending in a win for England, and then rest my body - it feels like I have just finished playing a 6 Nations tournament.”

Kenny Logan, who won 70 caps for Scotland, put the Calcutta rivalry aside to support Lawrence and said: “I joined the Scottish section of the ride. It was hard cycling the 254km in three days, let alone completing the whole 3,000km like Lawrence has.

"He is a big man and the saddle isn't the most comfortable of places to be for a month. Please recognise the effort Lawrence and all the cyclists have put in for this challenge and donate.”

Former England footballer Lee Dixon, who cycled more than half the ride, said: “I managed to cycle much of the ride and I am exhausted. I felt pretty ill when we arrived back on English soil last week but I was delighted to rejoin the team again and support Lawrence over the finish line.

"I think Lawrence and all the other cyclists have done brilliantly to get this far, it has been a huge effort and they all deserve a rest.”

The cyclists left Rome on 12th February in snow, the first time the city has seen snow in more than 25 years. Dallaglio navigated the cyclists through north Italy and the South of France before arriving at the Stade de France on 22^nd February.

The team of cyclists were delighted to hit familiar English roads two days later as they embarked on the leg to Twickenham where they were greeted by HRH Prince Harry before continuing onto the Millennium Stadium, Croke Park and finally Murrayfield today.

This challenge was the latest in a long line of projects that the Dallaglio Foundation has been working towards in its inaugural year. Launched following the passing of Lawrence’s mother Eileen, who lost her courageous battle with cancer in December 2008, the Dallaglio Foundation has already helped to raise over £600,000 for Cancer Research UK through its prestigious charity party, 8Rocks, which took place in November.

Visit www.dallagliocycleslam.com for more information about this epic ride and to sponsor Lawrence and the other riders.

06/03/10 - Cycle Slam update: five down, one to go!

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Press release from the Dallaglio Cycle Slam

The Dallaglio Cycle Slam team today reached its fifth RBS 6 Nations stadium, when the team rode into Croke Park.

Ashes hero Andrew Flintoff and former England rugby captain Lawrence Dallaglio were amongst the charity cyclists that arrived at Croke Park in Dublin today.

The cycle began in Rome on Friday 12^th February and the riders have cycled more than 2,000km across Europe as they make their way to their final destination, Murrayfield for 12^th March. The team has cycled through all of the RBS 6 Nations countries, taking in each of the international rugby stadia along the way.

The aim is to raise at least £1million, the net proceeds of which will be split equally between Sport Relief and the newly formed Dallaglio Foundation, whose beneficiaries include Cancer Research, DebRA, Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, Help for Heroes and the RPA Benevolent Fund.

Lawrence Dallaglio, founder of the Dallaglio Foundation, said: “I am so pleased to be back in Dublin. It is a lovely city and everyone here has been really friendly and supportive. This is the fifth stadium on our trip and I’m really proud we’ve managed to come this far. We’ve still got to cycle to Edinburgh though so it is far from over.

“Today is Freddie Flintoff’s last day and I’d like to thank him from joining us on the cycle this week. The fact so many people have joined us is fantastic and shows the support these great causes have. We’re getting closer to our target but we still need people to go online and support us.”

Andrew Flintoff, who played 79 Test matches for England, said: “I love Dublin, it is such a fun and vibrant city and always a good place to have a celebratory beer. This is my last day on the slam and I’m going to miss it, everyone involved has been brilliant and I’m really glad I got the opportunity to join the team.

“Everyone has worked so hard and I have so much respect for every person on the slam – I urge the public to go online and donate as both Sport Relief and the Dallaglio Foundation are fantastic and important causes.”

Croke Park is the fifth RBS 6 Nation stadium the Slam has visited, the 2,800km cycle is split into five stages, each of which will pass through an RBS 6 Nations country.

They started cycling from the Stadio Flaminio in Italy and have visited the Stade de France, Twickenham and the Millennium Stadium. They will now head to Murrayfield in time to watch England and Scotland fight it out over the Calcutta Cup on 13th March.

This challenge is the latest in a long line of projects that the Dallaglio Foundation has been working towards in its inaugural year.

Launched following the passing of Lawrence’s mother Eileen, who lost her courageous battle with cancer in December 2008, the Dallaglio Foundation has already helped to raise over £600,000 for Cancer Research UK through its prestigious charity party, 8Rocks, which took place in November.

Visit www.dallagliocycleslam.com for more information about this epic ride and to sponsor Lawrence and the other riders.

You can also view more images from the Cycle Slam by visiting www.dallagliocycleslam.com/gallery.

02/03/10 - Slam team reaches the Millennium Stadium

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Press release from the Dallaglio Cycle Slam

A star-studded Dallaglio Cycle Slam team today reached the home of Welsh rugby as they continue their fundraising ride across Europe.

Ashes heroes Andrew Flintoff and Michael Vaughan and Welsh legends Colin Charvis and Ieuan Evans joined Lawrence Dallaglio’s team for the fourth stage of the 2,800km cycle and arrived today at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

The cycle began in Rome on Friday 12^th February and continues over the course of a month finishing in Edinburgh on 12^th March. The team will cycle through all of the RBS 6 Nations countries, taking in each of the international rugby stadia along the way.

Lawrence Dallaglio, founder of the Dallaglio Foundation, said: “It has been a fantastic journey so far. We’ve done nearly 2,000km so we don’t have long to go.

“Having Freddie Flintoff on board has really helped keep the spirits high. He’s a fantastic guy to have around and it is great to see him enjoying himself and keeping everyone entertained. It’s also brilliant to have the Welsh boys on board as we enter their home country.

"Colin Charvis and Ieuan Evans were great opponents during my playing days and it is fun to have a bit of banter with them now. The fact so many people have come out to take part in this challenging cycle shows just how important the causes are so I urge people to go online and support us.”

Colin Charvis, who played 94 times for Wales, said: “I am delighted to be able to take part in such a great event, Lawrence and all the cyclists have done so well in what has been a very challenging test. The Dallaglio Foundation and Sport Relief both do a lot of fantastic work so it is definitely worthwhile going online to donate.”

Ieuan Evans played 72 times for his country and said: “It is not often I like helping out the English but Lawrence and the team have worked very hard over the last three weeks. I started earlier this week and have really enjoyed the cycling despite the mixed weather, although it is a beautiful day today. It has not been easy though and I hope the whole of Wales gets behind us to support the Dallaglio Cycle Slam.”

The Millennium Stadium is the fourth RBS 6 Nation stadium the Slam has visited, the 2,800km cycle is split into five stages, each of which will pass through an RBS 6 Nations country. They started cycling from the Stadio Flaminio in Italy and have visited the Stade de France and Twickenham.

The team visit Dublin’s Croke Park on Saturday before heading to Murrayfield in time to watch England and Scotland fight it out over the Calcutta Cup on 13th March.

This challenge is the latest in a long line of projects that the Dallaglio Foundation has been working towards in its inaugural year. Launched following the passing of Lawrence’s mother Eileen, who lost her courageous battle with cancer in December 2008, the Dallaglio Foundation has already helped to raise over £600,000 for Cancer Research UK through its prestigious charity party, 8Rocks, which took place in November.

Visit www.dallagliocycleslam.com for more information about this epic ride and to sponsor Lawrence and the other riders.

26/02/10 - HRH Prince Harry welcomes the cyclists

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Press release from the Dallaglio Cycle Slam

HRH Prince Harry, Vice Patron of the England Rugby Union, greeted Lawrence Dallaglio today as the former England rugby star and World Cup winner reached Twickenham Stadium having cycled more than 1,700km through Europe on the Dallaglio Cycle Slam.

The team still has nearly 1,000km to cycle before completing the grueling ride. The aim is to raise at least £1million, the net proceeds of which will be split equally between Sport Relief and the newly formed Dallaglio Foundation, whose beneficiaries include Cancer Research, DebRA, Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, Help for Heroes and the RPA Benevolent Fund.

Lawrence Dallaglio said: “What a fantastic welcome to Twickenham. To have Prince Harry at the stadium was a real honour and something neither I, nor the other cyclists, will ever forget. It was so kind of him to show his support for what was been a desperately tough cycle from Rome.

“It is great to be back on familiar turf at Twickenham Stadium and Prince Harry’s welcome has given us fresh enthusiasm. We leave for Cardiff from Twickenham Stadium on Sunday, hopefully pedaling on the joy of an England win against Ireland.

“We’ve still got a long way to go and need all the support we can get from the public. We are cycling for some fantastic causes so I’d urge everyone to go online and donate what they can.”

The Dallaglio Cycle Slam began in Rome on Friday 12^th February and continues over the course of a month finishing in Edinburgh on 12^th March. The team will cycle through all of the RBS 6 Nations countries, taking in each of the international rugby stadia along the way.

The group travelled over 100km from Maidstone to Twickenham this morning. The 2,800km cycle is split into five stages, each of which will pass through an RBS 6 Nations country. They started cycling from the Stadio Flaminio in Italy and, now that they have ticked off three of the 6 Nations stadia, they will be heading to Millennium Stadium.

The peloton will then visit Dublin’s Croke Park before heading to Murrayfield in time to watch England and Scotland fight it out over the Calcutta Cup on 13th March.

Visit www.dallagliocycleslam.com for more information about this epic ride.