GSC Grays and Genus are once again teaming up to form an Agricultural Industry XV to take on Wensleydale Rugby Club in a pre-season friendly on Friday 25th August 2017 at 7pm.

This popular local event, now in its fifth year, has in the past raised funds for Macmillan Cancer Support. This year, Macmillan are jointly funding a local project (with Sir Robert Ogden) to develop a specialist Cancer Unit at the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton and as this is such a local facility, which will benefit the wider community, it has been decided that all funds raised this year will be put towards the proposed Cancer Unit at Northallerton, rather than providing general support to Macmillan.

The Centre will provide state of the art facilities and treatment for local cancer patients, carers and relatives. Work on the centre is due to start this summer, and the facilities will include:

• A chemotherapy treatment lounge with capacity to treat up to 35 patients a day

• Complementary therapy facilities

• Treatment and consulting rooms

• A Macmillan cancer information and support centre

The ‘ageing’ Agricultural Industry XV consists of a number of local farmers, GSC Grays employees, Genus employees and clients together with anyone else they can persuade!

The initial idea for the match came from Colin Lucas of Genus, who has himself successfully recovered from cancer and was keen to add his support to the hard work and dedication shown to him by the Macmillan Cancer Support team.  He said “Wensleydale is a fantastic family-orientated club in a beautiful setting and they have always been very supportive of our charity
match. The clubs new facilities also provide the perfect venue for the game”

Phil Scott-Priestley, Director of GSC Grays who, like Colin, has played in all four matches, commented that “The match has proved a great success over the years, both from a spectator and players perspective. It’s a gruelling but fun way to raise some money for such a great cause, whilst providing a bit of entertainment for those on the sidelines!"

GSC Grays were triumphant in the first match held at the Leyburn
ground back in 2013, with Wensleydale beating the Agricultural XV in the following two years. Last year saw the Agricultural XV on level terms again with a little bit of assistance from former England and British Lions player, Paul Sackey.

Any support for this great cause would be much appreciated, be it directly financial, advertising in the match programme or providing raffle or auction lots. For further information, please contact Phil Scott-Priestley on 07500 958824 or email psp@gscgrays.co.uk and we hope to see you at the match on Friday 25th August 2017, 7pm.