Guernsey Raiders RFC Team Up for a Winning Day of Volunteering at the GSPCA
Nearly 30 players with their coach Jordan Reynolds from Guernsey Raiders RFC swapped rugby boots for gardening gloves and paint brushes on Sunday morning as they volunteered their time to help the GSPCA with a wide range of projects across the animal shelter site.
The Raiders squad arrived at the GSPCA at 10am, where they were welcomed by GSPCA Manager Steve Byrne before gathering for a team photograph. Following a brief introduction to the charity and the tasks ahead, the players split into smaller groups and got straight to work.
Throughout the morning, the team tackled a variety of jobs that will make a huge difference to the charity. Volunteers helped complete pathways around the GSPCA's wildlife pond, rebuilt two aviaries that had suffered damage during the winter storms, loaded the fundraising van in preparation for the South Show Fun Dog Show this Saturday, painted fencing, carried out extensive gardening and hedge trimming, and moved logs to create natural fencing and wildlife habitats.
Despite the warm weather, the players worked tirelessly, bringing plenty of enthusiasm, teamwork and good humour to every task.
There were also a few lighter moments during the day. One player struck up an unlikely friendship with Hilda, the GSPCA's much-loved resident tortoise who is over 90 years old, while another volunteer briefly found himself locked inside one of the aviaries the team had been rebuilding before being swiftly rescued by his teammates.
After a busy and productive morning, the Raiders players were rewarded with a behind-the-scenes guided tour of the GSPCA. Led by Steve Byrne, the tour gave the team an insight into the charity's work caring for thousands of animals each year. The players met a variety of residents, including kittens and baby hedgehogs, and learned more about the ongoing work of the shelter and wildlife services.
See a VT of the team helping on their Instagram https://www.instagram.com/reel/Db0wvLnS03z/?hl=en
Steve Byrne, GSPCA Manager, said:
"It was fantastic to welcome the Guernsey Raiders RFC to the GSPCA. Nearly 30 players and their coach gave up their Sunday morning and achieved an incredible amount in just a few hours. From rebuilding aviaries and improving pathways to tackling gardening, painting and preparing our fundraising van, their support has made a real difference.”
“As a Raiders fan myself and a regular supporter at games, it was especially lovely to see the team helping out in such a practical way. I was watching them in action on Saturday against Rennes, who had travelled over from France, and then to see many of the same players back the next morning volunteering at the GSPCA was brilliant.”
“The players worked incredibly hard in very warm conditions and approached every task with great energy and good humour. We are hugely grateful for their support and hope they enjoyed seeing behind the scenes and meeting some of our animals, especially Hilda the tortoise who certainly seemed to enjoy making some new friends.”
“On behalf of everyone at the GSPCA, thank you to the Raiders for choosing to spend their Sunday helping animals and wildlife."
The GSPCA welcomes both individuals and groups who would like to support the charity through volunteering.
Anyone interested in volunteering can find out more at:
https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/volunteers
Corporate groups and organisations interested in arranging team volunteering days can learn more at:
https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/corporate-and-group-days
To find out more about Guernsey Raiders RFC, visit:
https://www.grfc.gg/
The Raiders' next home fixture is against Newport RFC on Saturday, kicking off at 6.30pm.
The GSPCA would like to extend its sincere thanks to everyone involved for their hard work, enthusiasm and community spirit, which will leave a lasting benefit for both the charity and the animals in its care.
Check out more on the #GSPCABiggestBuildAppeal – https://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspcabiggestbuildappeal
To donate to our work and the other animals in our care https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA)
To see animals looking for new homes
https://www.gspca.org.gg/animals
To see our youtube channel and lots of videos please visit https://www.youtube.com/@TheGuernseySPCA
To see events, ways to support and animals in need please see our latest blog https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog
Upcoming events
- Summer Guided Tours July/August 2026 to be confirmed
- South Show GSPCA Dog Show Saturday 15th August 2026
- West Show 19th-20th August 2026
- World Lizard Day 14th August 2026
- North Show 26th-27th August 2026
- International Dog Day 26th August 2026
- World Animal Month October 2026
- World Animal Day 4th October 2026
- Feral Cat Day 16th October 2026
- National cat Day 29th October 2026
- Halt Term Spooky Tours October 2026 to be confirmed
- Dog First Aid Course 6.30pm - 8.45pm Thursday 12th November 2026 Ref – Dog12/11
- Cat First Aid Course 6.30pm - 8.45pm Thursday 26th November 2026 Ref – Cat26/11
- Possible Christmas Themed Animal Discovery Trail November/December 2026 to be confirmed with possible Ball
- World Wildlife Conservation Day 4th December 2026
- Festive Tours December/January 2026/7 to be confirmed
- Sidneys Sponsored Events - Grease and Dirty Dancing Saturday 10th April 2027
Steve continued “There are many ways to support the work of the GSPCA.”
“Our BIGGEST BUILD is now underway and we are desperately looking for support and to help in anyway please do get in touch and check out this link https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/gspca-biggestbuild-begins-demolition-underway-%E2%80%93-buying-brick-sponsorship-can-you-help .”
“To become an Angel Pen Pal Sponsor donating each month to help the hundreds of animals in our care which you can do by downloading this form - http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Angel%20sponsor%20form%20special%202018%20new.pdf or to become a Corporate Angel Pen Pal form for your business to sponsor animals in our care each year please click here http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Corporate%20Angel%20Pen%20Pal%20sponsor%20formnew.pdf .”
“To think of helping animals and our work in your legacy or will please check out https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/gifts-wills-and-funding .”
“For those from those want to give CSR time and skills to those wanting to help sponsor or support something from our Wish List at the GSPCA http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/our-plans-wish-list .”
“If your group or business would like to find out about spending a day at the Shelter please go to -
http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/corporate-and-group-days “
“For other ways your business can help us here at the GSPCA please go to -
http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/how-your-business-can-help-gspca-corporate-sponsorship “
“If you would like to volunteer then to find out more details here -
http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/volunteers or to complete the volunteer application form please check out https://service.sheltermanager.com/asmservice?account=gspca&method=online_form_html&formid=14 .”
"We also have vacancies at the GSPCA and to find out more please visit https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/vacancies ."
"For lots of ways to support our work please visit https://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-celebrating-150-years ."
“To visit our facebook page check out this link please click here .”
“To visit our x page please click here .”
“Thank you for your support.”
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