RAF Centenary to be celebrated at Saracens clash

The RAF Centenary celebrations are in full flow, with London Irish marking the milestone when they welcome Saracens to the Madejski Stadium on Sunday 29 April (kick-off 3pm).

Josh McNally, who is an RAF corporal, is delighted to see London Irish supporting the celebrations with a whole host of activities taking place in and around the ground on the day, including an official Guinness world record attempt at half-time, and there is a special ticket and hospitality offer for all military personnel and their families.

Two members of the RAF will be attempting to break the world record for the most drop-goals in three minutes to raise money for the RAF Benevolent Fund. The duo are part of the Horus 7s, a team made up of RAF personnel created after Cpl Rob Bugden was left paralysed from the waist down with no dexterity in his hands following a parachute accident. As a team they have raised more than £4,000 for charity through a number of activities including a previous world record for playing the longest 7s game.

The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund is the RAF’s leading welfare charity, providing financial, practical and emotional support to serving and former members of the RAF and their partners and dependents. Volunteers for the fund will be bucket collecting at the game and have a stall to raise awareness outside the Megastore.

The South West Regional Air Cadet Marching Band will be performing outside the Megastore at 2pm and inside the stadium before kick-off, while members of the Armed Forces Careers Office will also have a stall outside the stadium with activities and information.

“The Royal Air Force and London Irish have each played a huge role in my life, and with it being the centennial year of the RAF, it’s a perfect time to celebrate the growing relationship between the two,” said McNally, 27. 

“I have been in the Royal Air Force since I was 18 and they have given me so many opportunities on and off the rugby field, and without them I would not be a London Irish player.

“I am extremely grateful for the support that the Royal Air Force has given me and continues to give me throughout my professional rugby career and beyond. 

“Continuing to grow relationships between RAF sport and Professional sport will hopefully give other RAF Personnel opportunities to compete at the highest level.” 

Tickets for the game are available from £23 for adults and £3 for juniors from www.lidirect.co.uk or 0118 968 1016. If you are a member of the Armed Forces, please email [email protected] with your MOD90 number for more information on the ticket offer and code.