The British & Irish Lions have launched their first-ever online charity auction with a number of incredible items available to bid on.
The auction aims to raise much-needed funds for The British & Irish Lions Trust, the official charity of The British & Irish Lions, which helps support players in need.
The Lions have opened their official archive for the first time and have received some incredible donations. The auction includes items from the current Lions squad, Lions legends, the four home unions, Six Nations and SA Rugby.
Round one is now live at Charity Stars and includes a one-off personal video call with Sam Warburton, complete squad signed shirts from the Lions, Springboks, Wallabies and All Blacks; individual signed shirts from members of the Lions 2021 squad; and many unique items from iconic Lions Tours and legends.
The full profit from this auction will go to the Lions Trust, the official charity of The British & Irish Lions, which exists to connect with, nurture and support all Lions players in need, alongside furthering the spirit, values and ethos of the Lions through rugby clubs and communities across England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Established in 2002, its Board of Trustees includes Gavin Hastings (Chairman of Trustees), Richard Hill, Fergus Slattery and Sam Warburton.
There will be several rounds to the auction. The first round starts Saturday 3 July, the date of the first match of the 2021 Tour to South Africa, and as previously mentioned includes:
- A one-off personal video call with Sam Warburton (Lion #800)
- Complete squad signed shirts from the Lions, Springboks, Wallabies and All Blacks
- Individual signed shirts from members of the Lions 2021 squad
- Unique items from iconic Tours and legends such as Ieuan Evans (Lion #616)
- A very special jersey and programme from the Scotland-Ireland v England-Wales match on New Year’s Eve 1955 donated by the family of the late Michael Dunne (Lion #273)
The Lions will be using a platform called Charity Stars, the largest European charity auction, and are hoping to make a big impact with this campaign and raise both funds and awareness.
The Trust contributes to the Lions responsibility to the past while also helping protect the future of rugby’s most special sporting and social entity. A key priority is the welfare of Lions players who can’t access the necessary financial, medical and appropriate complementary support required to live in a dignified manner.
The Trust also seeks to nurture ongoing relationships with all Lions, irrespective of their personal circumstances, to recognise and celebrate the contributions they have made to building the Lions legacy both on and off the field.
Finally, The Lions Trust is committed to the promotion and, where appropriate, direct support of any Home Union initiative that broadens and deepens connection with the Lions and our ethos among grassroots clubs, communities and players at all levels.
Visit https://www.charitystars.com/collection/the-british-irish-lions-charity-auction to see all the cherished mementos up for grabs and for more information on the Trust, please visit lionsrugby.com/lions-trust
