Further evidence that rugby clubs really are at the “heart” of their community is everywhere to be seen around the country:

President of Marr RFC has donated £100,000 of hand sanitising gel to his local authority, Dalziel RFC club volunteers collecting shopping for the vulnerable, Highland Rugby Club painting a therapy centre for multiple-sclerosis patients, Shetland Rugby Club has engaged with the Red Cross to provide support where required, Aberdeen Wanderers RFC volunteers helping at their local hospital, Kirkcaldy RFC’s “Blues Family” offering support via Facebook to anyone in need, Stewart’s Melville RFC volunteers phoning elderly members to make sure they are ok and Melrose and Southern Knights collecting people from the local airport who had been evacuated from overseas before restrictions were tightened, to make sure they could get back safely to their families.

Scottish Rugby

Meanwhile, Scottish Rugby has offered BT Murrayfield to the Scottish Government if extra hospital capacity should be needed to treat those affected by coronavirus, and is preparing to work with the Disasters Emergency Committee to support any campaign to mitigate the impact of coronavirus in the least developed countries.

A Hardship Fund has been created to support clubs in Scotland that will be impacted by the outbreak to support our member clubs through this time. A “book of memories” is being compiled for families who have lost loved ones during the pandemic, and where restrictions on funeral attendance have meant that people have been unable to pay their respects. Scottish Rugby are working closely and compassionately with families who have lost a loved one to coronavirus and whose final wish is to have their ashes scattered at BT Murrayfield.

Scottish Rugby are preparing to work with the Disasters Emergency Committee to support any campaign to mitigate the impact of coronavirus in the least developed countries, such as the Central African Republic, which, currently, has just three ventilators in the entire country.

Edinburgh Rugby

Edinburgh have delivered more than 100 virtual player appearances, with priority given to NHS, social care and frontline staff, receiving personal “appearances” via social media from their players. The club’s Good 2 Give Local Hero initiative allows supporters to nominate a Local Hero within their community, whether that’s a nurse, volunteer or parent helping in the fight against COVID-19.

Glasgow Warriors

Glasgow Warriors and their supporters have raised more than £20,000 to support the Well-Fed Scotland charity to provide food parcels for needy and vulnerable people in Glasgow during the pandemic. Player / coach Petrus du Plessis has registered to go back to the NHS as a respiratory physiotherapist.

TARGET REACHED!

Warrior Nation, you've once again outdone yourself – you've helped @WellFedScotland raise £20,000 and ensured they can continue to help those most in need in Glasgow.

Thank you, from all at the club.#WhateverItTakes pic.twitter.com/SaftghKoA9

— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) April 2, 2020

Congratulations to Craig Fowler who's named as our first @itsgood2give Local Hero! ?

Read all about Craig's brilliant work with @LiviTable that has seen him collect and deliver food to stranded families across West Lothian. ?

— Edinburgh Rugby (@EdinburghRugby) April 13, 2020

There are many more example that we know of, and doubtless many more we haven’t heard about, and Scottish Rugby is proud of all those involved in our sport who are showing such extraordinary acts of kindness.