Players from East London Rugby Club and clubhouse friends Kings Cross Steelers raised £220 in a charity game played in memory of East London’s former deputy chair and treasurer Deborah Bird.

Deborah, known as Birdy, died in 2022 aged 61 after a three-year battle with cancer. She had been an integral part of the club at Memorial Park, West Ham, after joining in 2012. The Birdy fundraising game is played annually between East London and the Steelers in her memory.

East London emerged victorious in the game. Both sides received trophies from Deborah’s brother Richard Furlong, but the real winner was Saint Francis Hospice in Havering-atte-Bower who cared for Birdy in her final days.

Deborah’s brother Richard said: “The result didn’t matter; it was all about remembering Deborah in a way that did her proud. I thank all the players from East London and Kings Cross Steelers for taking part and donating, and the East London committee for allowing this fixture to take place on an annual basis.”

East London Co-Chair Kat Salthouse said: “Birdy was an integral part of the club. The enthusiasm, knowledge and purpose she brought was invaluable. She was and always will be part of the fabric of East London RFC. We still miss her terribly.”

Pictured is Richard Furlong presenting the trophy to East London co-captains Simon Leke and Mo Mohamed.