Wooden Spoon News

17 Mar 2025

Year of Rugby, A Legacy of Giving: Celebrate National Wooden Spoon Day on 19th March

Year of Rugby, A Legacy of Giving: Celebrate National Wooden Spoon Day on 19th March: Email signature (1)

As the dust settles on the Men’s Six Nations and anticipation builds for the Women’s Six Nations, the Lions Tour, and the Women’s Rugby World Cup, there’s never been a better time to celebrate rugby’s power to unite and inspire. Rugby isn’t just about the game—it’s about community, resilience, and making a difference. That’s exactly what Wooden Spoon, the children’s charity of rugby, has been doing since 1983. This National Wooden Spoon Day, on 19th March, we invite rugby fans and communities across the UK and Ireland to come together, honour the rich history and incredible impact of Wooden Spoon. Whether you're passing a rugby ball, fundraising, or simply spreading the word, every action counts. Let’s turn our passion for rugby into a force for good.

Year of Rugby, A Legacy of Giving: Celebrate National Wooden Spoon Day on 19th March

As the dust settles on the Men’s Six Nations and anticipation builds for the Women’s Six Nations, the Lions Tour, and the Women’s Rugby World Cup, there’s never been a better time to celebrate rugby’s power to unite and inspire. Rugby isn’t just about the game—it’s about community, resilience, and making a difference. That’s exactly what Wooden Spoon, the children’s charity of rugby, has been doing since 1983. This National Wooden Spoon Day, on 19th March, we invite rugby fans and communities across the UK and Ireland to come together, honour the rich history and incredible impact of Wooden Spoon. Whether you're passing a rugby ball, fundraising, or simply spreading the word, every action counts. Let’s turn our passion for rugby into a force for good.

 Get ready to join the celebration as National Wooden Spoon Day takes place on 19th March, marking the anniversary of Wooden Spoon’s founding in 1983.  This special day is a chance to honour the rich history and incredible impact of Wooden Spoon, the children’s charity of rugby, dedicated to supporting children with disabilities or facing disadvantage across the UK and Ireland.

Wooden Spoon’s supporters, beneficiaries, and the wider rugby community are coming together to raise awareness and funds in a fun and meaningful way.  We are inviting all to get involved. Whether you choose to host a fundraising event, take part in a rugby match, wear Wooden Spoon colours, or simply spread the word on social media, every action – big or small – makes a difference!

How You Can Get Involved

There are countless ways to celebrate #WoodenSpoonDay and show your support:

  • Post on Social Media: Either using the National wooden Spoon Day graphics or getting involved with The Pass the ball campaign
  • Organise a Mufti Day or Wooden Spoon Decorating Competition: A fun way for children to participate while raising funds.
  • Host a Fundraising Event: Plan a charity lunch, bake sale, or raffle to support the cause.
  • Wear Wooden Spoon Colours: Show solidarity and spread awareness by donning Wooden Spoon-themed outfits.
  • Join the ‘Pass the Ball’ Social Media Campaign: Take part in the viral movement kicking off on the 19th March
  • Donate to Wooden Spoon

 

Recent impact : Eco play area for pupils with learning difficulties.

On March 12, 2025, Cricket Green School in Surrey unveiled its new 'Green Play' area, a project funded by a £25,000 grant from Wooden Spoon. This initiative introduces eco-friendly sensory play equipment designed for reception and primary-aged children, promoting stimulating and inclusive outdoor activities. All the pupils at the school have additional learning difficulties and the playground provides a safe and stimulating environment to develop social skills, enhance sensory experiences, improve motor coordination, and encourage independence through interactive and inclusive

play.https://woodenspoon.org.uk/recent-projects/cricket-green-school-open-green-play/

Sarah Webb, CEO of Wooden Spoon, encourages everyone to take part:

"National Wooden Spoon Day is a fantastic opportunity for communities to come together and make a real difference in the lives of children and young people with disabilities or facing disadvantage. Whether you're passing a rugby ball, hosting an event, or simply spreading the word, every action helps us continue our mission. Join us on 19th March and be part of something truly special."

Make Some Noise for Wooden Spoon!

With your help, we can make National Wooden Spoon Day bigger and better than ever. Don’t forget to tag us in your posts and use #WoodenSpoonDay to spread the word.

Follow us on social media:
 @WoodenSpoonCharity | @charityspoon | Wooden Spoon Charity |

For more information or to get involved, please visit https://woodenspoon.org.uk/national-wooden-spoon-day

Contact Information

Lucy Roy
Communications Manager
Wooden Spoon
01252 773720
lroy@woodenspoon.org.uk

Wooden Spoon Surrey

Mark Dean

https://woodenspoon.org.uk/region/surrey 

About Wooden Spoon

Wooden Spoon is a grant-making charity funding life-changing projects across the UK and Ireland. They exist to help the 1.2 million children living with a disability, the 30% of children growing up in poverty, and the 3 million children experiencing mental health issues to live their best lives.

Our rugby heritage gives us our core values of passion, integrity, teamwork and fun, and working closely with the wider rugby community, our values drive the ethos and spirit in everything we do.

Since 1983, with the support of the rugby community, from grassroots clubs to national unions, Wooden Spoon has awarded over £34 million in grants, positively impacting more than 2 million children and young people who are disadvantaged, disenfranchised, or living with disabilities.

We have over 300 committed volunteers who are raising funds in local communities up and down the country.  We are extremely proud to say that the money they raise locally funds projects in their local areas.

Wooden Spoon’s work is shaped around four core themes : Giving children the chance to: Play, Learn, Thrive and Be Safe.

Across all four themes, the charity funds sensory rooms and gardens, specialist medical and sports equipment, playgrounds, sports programmes, health and wellbeing initiatives and education projects.

By getting involved, together we can change children’s lives through the power of rugby. Find out more at woodenspoon.org.uk.  #helpingkidsthroughrugby #GivingChildrenAChance

To find out more visit woodenspoon.org.uk