Each week during the season, the rugby club designates a theme for players and staff to adhere to post match. This can range from ‘beachwear’ in Mid-February, to ‘silly hats’, to odd shoes. Players are fined for not playing along, as well as for poor time keeping, among other club rules with all money raised going to the club’s affiliated charity Magpas Air Ambulance.

This year’s December fixtures were all themed ‘giving something back’. Three charities were chosen for the three matches leading up to Christmas.

With food donations for the Bedford Foodbank, clothing donations for 3 Pillars Homeless Charity and children’s toys for Love in a Bag Bedford.

Donations came in from players, staff, family and friends, and this was made even more impressive with two of the three matches having to be postponed due to the poor weather.

Kevin Gandy, Club Treasurer at Kempston Rugby said: “This year we wanted to do something a little bit different to our usual themes. As a local community rugby club with support from all over Bedfordshire, we thought what would better than giving back to our local community during this festive period.

“I am incredibly proud of what we have managed to achieve in December and I would like to thank everyone that has donated and joined in. I would like to say a special thank you to the people running the charities for giving their time and effort in helping people all year round.”

To find out how you can help these charities, not just at Christmas, but all year round, visit their websites:

• Bedford Foodbank
• 3 Pillars Homeless Charity
• Love in a Bag Bedford – Local Charity (with toys going to Families First Bedfordshire)