Welcome to the Brent Pope Rugby Foundation
Welcome to the Brent Pope Rugby Foundation
The Brent Pope Rugby Legends Foundation in association with Habitat for
Humanity Ireland, was established earlier this year so that former Irish
rugby legends along with rugby and sports loving public, could experience a
once in a lifetime opportunity to build houses alongside some of the most
impoverished families in need worldwide.
Over the next three years Ireland’s renowned rugby legends will swap their
rugby boots for hard hats as they give something back!
2011 started with a trip to Lusaka in Zambia with Legends Build founder and
RTE commentator Brent Pope along with former Leinster and Irish rugby great
Malcolm O’Kelly.
“We have a real chance here to change lives for the better and make a
difference,” Brent commented at the legends launch earlier this year. “A
lot of rugby players, myself included, have enjoyed wonderful, privileged
lives. This is a chance to give something positive back and with a little
rugby muscle and some local knowledge we can change peoples’ lives. We can
turn a house into a home in a week and give the less fortunate a real start
in life.”
The week long trip to Zambia showed that there is so much more to be done
in these countries and we have only scratched the surface. It was a
humbling and rewarding experience and puts a new perspective on our lives
back in Ireland, no matter how hard that may be at the moment.
I know people are struggling in Ireland as well, and Habitat do an amazing
job on these shores too, that is why I chose them to partner the Legends
Build. However, up to 10 children crammed into a single room the size of a
prison cell and conditions indescribable, does make you realise how lucky
we are.
International rugby players will join next year’s building crew along with
members of the public who want to get involved and immerse themselves in a
rugby culture with a difference.
This year I had interest from such Irish rugby greats as David Humphreys,
Paddy Johns, Girvan Dempsey, Alan Quinlan, Bernard Jackman, Axle Foley,
Jeremy Davidson, Paul Wallace, Frankie Sheehan, Angus Mckeen, Mick Galway,
Steve McIvor, Maurice Field, Anthony Horgan and many more, who generously
pledged their support. It is anticipated that many of these players, plus a
host of others, will put themselves forward to travel in 2012 and in future
years to come.
The Legends and the public who decide to travel will be guaranteed an
authentic Zambian experience. They will truly experience what it means to
live and work in the local community. They will spend time learning from
local builders, using local materials and tools, cooking and bonding with
the wonderful local people, who despite hardship live with a smile on their
faces.
I am asking the public to get involved, it is not a huge amount of money to
raise and we have tailored the trip so that it is affordable and
achievable. A few small fundraisers throughout the year will also be held
to raise funds. All money raised goes directly to fund transport costs,
food and a donation to buy materials to build the houses.
All funds are transparent and are going to such a worthy cause.
So please join me and the 2012 Legends to savor the best bonding experience
of your life with players you may have idolised or seen only on TV, while
most importantly making a real difference to someone else’s life.
Take it from me it will be the most rewarding experience you have ever had.
As the mad professor said in the 1980s Back to the Future hit movies, “I’m
going back, but this time you are coming with me!!”
For further information on how you can join next year’s 2012 Legends Build
Tour please visit habitatireland.ie for an introduction and fundraising
pack.
Regards,
Brent Pope
The Brent Pope Rugby Legends Foundation in association with Habitat for
Humanity Ireland, was established earlier this year so that former Irish
rugby legends along with rugby and sports loving public, could experience a
once in a lifetime opportunity to build houses alongside some of the most
impoverished families in need worldwide.
Over the next three years Ireland’s renowned rugby legends will swap their
rugby boots for hard hats as they give something back!
2011 started with a trip to Lusaka in Zambia with Legends Build founder and
RTE commentator Brent Pope along with former Leinster and Irish rugby great
Malcolm O’Kelly.
“We have a real chance here to change lives for the better and make a
difference,” Brent commented at the legends launch earlier this year. “A
lot of rugby players, myself included, have enjoyed wonderful, privileged
lives. This is a chance to give something positive back and with a little
rugby muscle and some local knowledge we can change peoples’ lives. We can
turn a house into a home in a week and give the less fortunate a real start
in life.”
The week long trip to Zambia showed that there is so much more to be done
in these countries and we have only scratched the surface. It was a
humbling and rewarding experience and puts a new perspective on our lives
back in Ireland, no matter how hard that may be at the moment.
I know people are struggling in Ireland as well, and Habitat do an amazing
job on these shores too, that is why I chose them to partner the Legends
Build. However, up to 10 children crammed into a single room the size of a
prison cell and conditions indescribable, does make you realise how lucky
we are.
International rugby players will join next year’s building crew along with
members of the public who want to get involved and immerse themselves in a
rugby culture with a difference.
This year I had interest from such Irish rugby greats as David Humphreys,
Paddy Johns, Girvan Dempsey, Alan Quinlan, Bernard Jackman, Axle Foley,
Jeremy Davidson, Paul Wallace, Frankie Sheehan, Angus Mckeen, Mick Galway,
Steve McIvor, Maurice Field, Anthony Horgan and many more, who generously
pledged their support. It is anticipated that many of these players, plus a
host of others, will put themselves forward to travel in 2012 and in future
years to come.
The Legends and the public who decide to travel will be guaranteed an
authentic Zambian experience. They will truly experience what it means to
live and work in the local community. They will spend time learning from
local builders, using local materials and tools, cooking and bonding with
the wonderful local people, who despite hardship live with a smile on their
faces.
I am asking the public to get involved, it is not a huge amount of money to
raise and we have tailored the trip so that it is affordable and
achievable. A few small fundraisers throughout the year will also be held
to raise funds. All money raised goes directly to fund transport costs,
food and a donation to buy materials to build the houses.
All funds are transparent and are going to such a worthy cause.
So please join me and the 2012 Legends to savor the best bonding experience
of your life with players you may have idolised or seen only on TV, while
most importantly making a real difference to someone else’s life.
Take it from me it will be the most rewarding experience you have ever had.
As the mad professor said in the 1980s Back to the Future hit movies, “I’m
going back, but this time you are coming with me!!”
For further information on how you can join next year’s 2012 Legends Build
Tour please visit habitatireland.ie for an introduction and fundraising
pack.
Regards,
Brent Pope
