Barnet (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Barnet Elizabethan’s Rugby Minis have donated Christmas gifts to support families in Ukraine, highlighting a strong community-driven humanitarian effort.
Sadly, another Christmas approaches as Ukraine remains at war. Some Ukrainian children continue to experience everyday blackouts. General everyday supplies can be limited, and there is always the possibility of a drone assault.
To spread a little Christmas cheer, our great Barnet Elizabethan Rugby Minis, girls and boys aged six to twelve, packaged and distributed hundreds of toys. An ambulance convoy is transporting them to schools near the war lines in Ukraine.
With assistance from Mighty Convoy, a non-profit organization that has donated over 100 ambulances and pickup trucks to Ukraine since the conflict began. Volunteer fundraisers and drivers transport the automobiles to Lviv and donate them to the Christian Medical Association Ukraine.
One of the hospital trucks in this especially special convoy is loaded with hundreds of Barnet Elizabethan Mini presents. Simon Brake, the creator of Mighty Convoy, played Santa and collected the gifts from Elizabethan’s clubhouse on Byng Road in Barnet. The gifts are currently in a convoy heading throughout Europe. They will arrive this weekend (just in time for Ukrainian Christmas, which is celebrated on December 9th).
Other gifts included in the convoy are from Barnet and Home Care Preferred. An excellent firm that offers respite care at home to families in Barnet. Shir-Li, the founder of Barnet Home Care Preferred, played Mrs. Claus.
Barnet Elizabethan’s Rugby Football Club trains about 500 children in Barnet, from age six to Academy and adult 1st XV. It is a non-profit club run entirely by volunteers. Rugby alumni include the Bracken brothers now playing professionally for Saracens.
The club is committed to TREDS rugby values, Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship we provide fitness and the fun of rugby to children in Barnet from all backgrounds.
It is backed by The Stags, past players and parents that donate additional funding to the club. This money is used to encourage children from impoverished circumstances, in Barnet, to play rugby.
How did the club organize the collection and wrapping of gifts?
Barnet Elizabethans Rugby Club’s Minis section organized the collection and wrapping of over 200 Christmas gifts for Ukraine through a structured community trouble during their regular Sunday training sessions at the club’s Barnet grounds. Players( U6- U12), parents, and trainers led prayers via club social media, newsletters, and WhatsApp groups, with drop- off points set up at the club entrance for toys, books, clothes, and festive particulars over two weeks leading to December 3, 2025.
Donations were gathered at minis sessions (9am- 12 pm Sundays), academy pick- up points, and original businesses; a crowdfunding runner raised 1,500 for shipping via Rugby Europe mates.
Post-training wrapping parties (12- 2 pm) involved 20 levies using club pavilions equipped with tables, paper, tape recording, lists, and markers; children shared in age-applicable tasks like tagging.
