One of the world’s most famous touring rugby teams, The Barbarians have donated £2,000 to the work of the Murrayfield Centenary Fund (MCF).

While on business at Murrayfield, former international and Barbarians committee member, John Jeffrey took the opportunity to present the donation to Malcolm Murray the chairman of the fund, and his committee.

The money will go to the continued work of MCF who help injured players through rehabilitation.

John Jeffrey (right) presents the ?2,000 to Malcolm Murray (left)

MCF recently helped Connor Docherty who broke his back in 2008. Docherty hit the headlines this year when he completed the 100 gruelling miles that is the West Highland Way.

Jeffrey said: “'I’m absolutely delighted to present this cheque for £2,000 to the Murrayfield Centenary Fund on behalf of the Barbarians Trust.

“Although the Barbarians Football Club is world renowned for its exciting brand of attacking rugby football, little is known of its charitable side. The charitable trust was set up seven years ago and around £40,000 is awarded annually to worthy rugby organisations.

“During the recent match against the South of Scotland at Hawick, the Barbarians Trust presented £10,000 to the Bill McLaren Foundation.

“They have annually awarded donations to the injured players funds of all home nations, as well as that of the British Lions, so it gives me great pleasure to present £2,000 to the Murrayfield Centenary Fund to supplement all the good work they do.”

Murray added: “Serious injuries are, fortunately, relatively infrequent in rugby but when they do happen they can have unexpected financial consequences.

“The Murrayfield Centenary Fund was set up in 1973 in order to provide assistance to these players and, since we started, we have been able to help out in the cases which have been brought to our attention.

“As a charity we rely on donations to enable us to carry out this work, so we are extremely grateful to the Barbarians for their generous contribution which will help to ensure that we can continue to provide this financial backup to those injured players in the rugby community.”

MCF was set up in Scottish Rugby’s centenary season of 1972/73 and focuses on providing assistance to injured Scottish rugby players’, it is financially and administratively independent. Since its inception, it has assisted a number of players with short or longer term injuries, providing the support and help they need.

In addition to financial assistance, the Fund also helps with motor vehicles, wheelchairs, computers and adaptations to players’ or parents’ homes.

The objectives of the Fund are wide ranging and include assistance being given to players injured or suffering disablement as a result of playing rugby football as well as such other general charitable purposes as the Trustees see fit.  The giving of assistance is at the discretion of the Trustees and the aim of the Trustees is to build up the General Fund sufficiently so as to be able to give assistance wherever appropriate and approved by the Trustees, including taking into account the possibility of there being several large requests for assistance in any one year.

For more information on the Murrayfield Centenary Fund please click here, and for more on the Barbarians visit www.barbariansfc.co.uk