On Sunday 14 April we have organised a charity match between Battersea Ironsides RFC Colts and Streatham and Croydon RFC Colts (U17/U18).

Back in 1943, Ironsides founder, Colonel E. H. St Maur Toope originally played at Streatham RFC and borrowed some Streatham jerseys, and their pitch, to put on Ironsides’ first ever match - giving the opportunity to play rugby to some of the lads he commanded in the 42nd Royal Tank Regiment Cadet Battalion.

80 years on we are celebrating Ironsides' historic connection with Streatham and Croydon RFC and returning to where it all began to play a special charity match between Ironsides Colts XV and a Streatham and Croydon Barbarians Team.

We have a Cup which we are dedicating to the Colonel and we hope to play annually in his memory – celebrating his legacy for youth sport and maintaining the historic friendship between our two great club.

In doing so we are hoping to raise some money for St George’s Hospital Charity and Croydon University Hospital Charities – the hospitals which are within a stones throw of our respective clubs and which together serve so many in the south London community!

We hope you will be able to give a few pounds to help us help them continue to deliver the life saving care we all rely on. The money we raise will be divided equally between:
St George's Hospital Charity "Time for Change" Appeal raising money for improved children's services: https://www.stgeorgeshospitalcharity.org.uk/time-for-a-change
Croydon University Hospital Charity "Little Breaths" Appeal - Donations will help to fund two additional ventilators to provide life-saving treatment for the sickest children in Croydon, from very small babies to young people aged up to 16-year-olds:
https://www.croydonhealthservices.nhs.uk/little-breaths-/

Visit Ironsides Rugby at: www.ironsidesrugby.com/
Visit Streatham and Croydon RFC at: www.streatham-croydonrfc.com