O2 Supports RFU’s Try for Change Through O2 Recycle

The RFU has launched Try for Change, a social responsibility programme which, supported by founding partner O2, aims to raise awareness and grow rugby as a tool for social good, by bringing together and supporting leading rugby charities and organisations.

Throughout England there are a number of charities, clubs and programmes using rugby to change lives for the better. The six charities initially enrolled in Try for Change for 2015 will have access to support and mentoring, in order to help transform and deepen the positive impact they can achieve through rugby programmes. These charities are: All Schools (RFF), Dallaglio Foundation, Injured Players Foundation, Restart, School of Hard Knocks and Wooden Spoon.

Try for Change will assist organisations in broadening and deepening their existing rugby focused programmes through opportunities such as introductions to sector leading experts. The programme will also award members with a kite mark in recognition of their commitment of using rugby for good and to raise awareness of their initiatives.

As founding partner, O2 has committed to raise £350,000 through its Recycle for Rugby campaign to support Try for Change. The campaign is part of O2 Recycle, a scheme which is available to both O2 and non O2 customers and offers cash payments of up to £260 for unwanted gadgets. So far, O2 Recycle has given customers over £100m for their recycled devices and up until September 2015, it will generate funds for Try for Change to help change lives through rugby.

Try for Change is supported by Prince Harry, RFU Vice Patron who today commented: “I’m delighted to support the RFU's new initiative ‘Try for Change’ which brings together all the organisations involved in social change through rugby. Rugby has the ability to unite people together through shared values and respect, this has a hugely positive impact on the lives of individuals both on and off the pitch and the communities in which they live.

By working together, I believe that Try for Change has the potential to make a lasting impact on communities. This collaboration is a fantastic example to others and I would like to commend all these organisations for coming together in this way. I am very much looking forward to seeing what we can achieve.”

Ian Ritchie, RFU CEO today said; ‘We are delighted to launch Try for Change, a programme that is first of its kind for the RFU with the objective of creating a lasting social legacy through rugby. We know that rugby has the power to positively impact communities and improve lives; we only have to look at the impressive initiatives that are currently being implemented by rugby charities and clubs across England. Through partnership, Try for Change will help build capacity within the rugby charitable sector, broadening and deepening the difference rugby can make to society.’

Ronan Dunne CEO for O2 in the UK, says: “With a heritage in supporting young people through our Think Big programme and as official sponsors of the England rugby team, Try for Change was an important cause for us to support. We are proud to be using funds raised through O2 Recycle to support this initiative. We always encourage customers and non-customers alike to get rid of their unwanted tech in a sustainable way and get cash back for doing so through our recycling scheme. Now there is more reason to do so than ever before.”