Bedford Blues legend Budge Rogers becomes first Foundation Ambassador

Blues Foundation are delighted to announce that Bedford Blues most famous former player Budge Rogers has become the charity’s first ambassador.

The role of an ambassador is to support the work our foundation does within the local community and it is great to have someone who understands the impact that rugby and sport can have developing people.

Budge is the record appearance holder for Bedford Blues, playing 485 matches and captaining the side for the majority of them, including in the club’s finest hour when they won the national RFU Club Competition in 1975.

He was made a Life Member of the club that same year and has been awarded an OBE for services to Rugby. Budge captained England in seven of his 34 caps and took part in the 1962 Lions tour, playing two tests against South Africa.

After his playing career ended, Budge went on to become Chairman of Selectors when England completed the Grand Slam in 1980 and was also President of the RFU in 2000-01.

His greatest passion has always revolved around Bedfordshire with Budge playing an important role in the founding of a local branch of the Lord’s Taverners, the UK’s leading youth cricket and disability sports charity. He was Chairman for 10 years and more recently has been a Trustee.

Budge is also President of the local region of The Wooden Spoon, the children’s charity of rugby, and has organised fundraising events here at Goldington Road. He has been a great supporter of the RFU Injured Players Charity and Sue Ryder Hospice in recent years.

The announcement that Budge has decided to join us in an Ambassadorial role will help us achieve our objective to provide and assist in opportunities for sport and community access into challenging demographics; ultimately building towards the ambition of becoming one of Bedfordshire’s leading sporting charities.

For more information about how you can support the Blues Foundation contact Tom Harwood (info@bluesfoundation.org.uk).

Don’t forget to follow us on social media to find out first about our upcoming projects! You can find us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.