Ryman rising to Red Nose challenge!

The Ryman League's generous fans and clubs are expected to hand over thousands of pounds to Comic Relief again this season thanks to bucket collections at fixtures over the next week and the efforts of fans, players and officials taking part in sponsored challenges.

After Friday's Red Nose Day and biennial TV telethon on BBC helped raise millions of pounds for good causes in the UK and Africa, red buckets supplied by the Isthmian League's title sponsors Ryman will be passed around among fans during fixtures this weekend, in midweek and next Saturday to ensure supporters at all 72 clubs have a chance to take part.

Since its launch in 1988, Red Nose Day has become a British institution and the last Comic Relief raised a staggering £100,331,808 before last year's efforts for Sports Relief topped the £50 million mark.

In the run-up to this year’s charity spectacular a host of Ryman clubs have already held fundraising events to pledge on the night or in the coming days.

AFC Sudbury held an early bucket collection before their 1-0 win over Heybridge Swifts in Ryman North last weekend with chairman John Crosbie organising their annual penalty shoot-out at half-time for the fourth year running at The Wardale Williams Stadium.

Other efforts last weekend included Guernsey FC's principal sponsors Specsavers raising £362.50 with a cake sale among fans at Footes Lane.

The Greens squad also got involved this week, wearing novelty glasses at training to promote Comic Relief's 'Make your Face Funny for Money' campaign while Whyteleafe staged a nine-a-side tournament on Friday at Church Road before holding a Red Nose party afterwards for fundraising fans.

For more information on Comic Relief visit: www.comicrelief.com.

Follow us: @rymanleaguenews on Twitter | Ryman League group on Facebook