Ayr Rugby and the Bulls are delighted to announce a unique partnership with local charity Whiteleys Retreat, which is the first of its’ kind in Scotland.
Whiteleys Retreat is an Ayrshire charity providing vital therapeutic respite breaks to children, young people and their families with cancer or a life altering illness. Perfectly situated within 30 acres of beautiful Ayrshire countryside on the outskirts of Ayr. The partnership will be formally launched this Saturday when the Ayrshire Bulls take to the field in their all-new charity away strips, showcasing the Whiteleys logo and colours. The charity package includes signed match strips, a table at a pre-match lunch, meet & greet and fundraising opportunities at home matches and events. So far nearly £1500 has been raised for Whiteleys Retreat through the partnership. (Photo - Euan McCall) The limited-edition jersey will be available for purchase from both the Ayrshire Bulls and Whiteleys Retreat online shops, with the profits being shared equally between Whiteleys Retreat and the Ayr Community Rugby Trust. The Ayrshire Bulls are the first Super6 team to play in a charity jersey and form a partnership of this kind. Maxine Allan, CEO and Trustee of Whiteleys, expressed delight in the partnership with: “We are incredibly blown away with the level of support from Ayr Rugby Club and its affiliated members and supporters. “To have a bespoke Whiteleys designed away strip for the Ayrshire Bulls is not only amazing but a great honour – the strips will help us raise funds for the charity but also increase the awareness of Whiteleys throughout Scotland - helping us reach those children who truly need this respite. “The Ayrshire Bulls team visited Whiteleys last week, and it was a privilege to show them around the respite facilities. A lovely group of talented sportsmen, who genuinely care for the community and the families who need help. On top of that, the new strips look awesome – I've got one and love it! Make sure you order yours as they’re limited edition”. Her enthusiasm was mirrored by Ayr Rugby Chief Operating Officer, Glen Tippett, who stated: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the Ayrshire Bulls to support a local charity and give back to the community. The work Whiteleys Retreat is doing is truly inspiring, so for us to be able to help raise awareness is an honour. “We look forward to strengthening our relationship with the charity over the next few years”.