RUGBY fans were trying their very best to support our Julia's House appeal on Saturday when they dug deep into their pockets for a collection.

Chippenham Rugby Club has got right behind out appeal to raise £100,000 to pay for carers for Wiltshire families with sick children. A second Julia's House hospice is due to open in Devizes next year.

The club's fun day on Saturday coincided with a first team match against Old Patesians and the club's past players reunion-lunch.

Rugby club commercial manager Tracey Goodall said: "The Gazette is one of our sponsors so when we heard about the 200 Appeal we jumped at the chance to help.

"The new hospice will be wonderful for Wiltshire. It will really make a difference to families here. We are all really looking forward to it."

A fundraising team from Julia's House was on hand to help with the collection and to let the rugby goers know about the work of the charity.

Gazette staff also joined in the day. Marketing manager Angie Blackford said: "People were very generous. Most people knew about the work of Julia's House but for some it was a new charity.

"Once the Julia's House team explained its work they were very happy to donate. We were asking for £1 donations but many people put in a lot more than that. Lots of people put in £5 notes. Everyone was very enthusiastic about what we were doing.

"Volunteers from the rugby club organised a barbecue and that was very popular. It completely sold out before the end of the game."

The feel good factor continued into the match where Chippenham just got the edge over their rivals and won 43-40. The collection raised £280 and money from the barbecue is still to be added.

The Gazette is also raising money for our 200 Appeal for Julia's House with a raffle and photo booth opportunity at the Wiltshire Business of the Year Awards organised by Newsquest Wiltshire.

Hundreds of business men and women will gather at Centre Parcs on April 15 for a black tie dinner with Rio carnival vibe. Business development manager for Newsquest Wiltshire Louise Cooper said: "We would hope to raise at least £1,500 from the raffle. All money from the photo booth will also go to the appeal.

"We will have props for people to use and it should add a really fun element. The whole evening should be a fantastic event with live music and the opportunity for people to net work among some of the county's leading business people."

A few tickets for the dinner costing £59.50 are still available. Email louise.cooper@wiltshire.newsquest.co.uk