Royal Wootton Bassett Rugby Club raised £2,000 during the opening celebrations of the new clubhouse.

Last week the rugby club presented a £1,000 cheque to the British Limbless Ex-Service Men’s Association (BLESMA) and sent another £1,000 cheque to children’s rugby charity, Wooden Spoon.

The charities were chosen because they reflected the club’s involvement with the military as well as its commitment to developing the rugby skills of physically and mentally disadvantaged children and young people.

Club vice chairman Jim Brierley said: “We wanted to raise money for a couple of charities and we wanted to raise some money for a charity that was worthwhile but perhaps didn’t receive enough due attention.

“We chose BLESMA because Royal Wootton Bassett has such a strong relationship with the armed forces and a lot of current and ex-members are ex-servicemen and a lot came from Lyneham, and it seemed a good charity to choose.

“We raised the money through the activities we held over the opening weekend and we were grateful for the support of our members and the people of Royal Wootton Bassett who came along.”

The new clubhouse was opened last month to a weekend of activities, including a parachute jump, marching band and black tie dinner.