HUNDREDS of rugby players will benefit from a cash donation that will fund a club’s new training facilities.

Shoreham Rugby Club is celebrating after collecting a share of £6,000 from energy giant BP’s ‘Green Lights All The Way’ campaign.

The club is a grassroots, family-orientated organisation with a predominant youth section of more than 150 children aged five to 15. Run entirely by volunteers, it provides a safe and supportive environment for adults and children to play rugby.

But despite its loyal following, the club’s growth had been constrained by limited facilities – particularly at its home in Buckingham Park, Shoreham.

With help from Argus readers, BP chose the club to receive £2,000 from its Green Lights All The Way community fund. The cash has bought new and updated facilities, including heavy-duty gazebos to provide shelter throughout the winter.

Mark Norris, chairman of the club, said: “Shoreham Rugby Club is honoured to have won the BP Green Lights campaign.

“We are a small, rapidly growing club which is extremely proud of our family orientation and the loyalty of our community. This award has once again shown why we are so rightly proud of our community standing.

“The £2,000 funding has been used to purchase some heavy-duty gazebos which will offer much appreciated shelter for parents and carers as well as some sports equipment for new players who come to Shoreham because of our inclusive and welcoming approach.”

Coaches hope the new equipment will help attract more members, as they felt the club’s inability to offer some facilities had deterred new talent from joining.

Brad Johnson, of BP, said: “It’s been fantastic to see the response with The Argus. Congratulations to Shoreham Rugby Football Club, a very deserving winner.

“We hope the giant gazebos help keep all the members dry this winter and that everyone at the club continues to enjoy their new training equipment.”