At the Leeds game, Doncaster Rovers Football Club, in conjunction with Leeds United Football Club, supported the official charity ‘Pilgrim Bandits’.
Both teams supported the charity by wearing special Tshirts for them in the warm up. Originally, the Pilgrim Bandits were merely a group of friends who played golf together and raised funds for a number of other charities. ‘Pilgrim’ is a nickname for members of certain Special Forces Regiments taken from Flecker’s poem “The Road To Samarkand”.
Local hero Ben Parkinson was present on Saturday, not only to support Rovers, but to help raise awareness of ‘Pilgrim Bandits’ as a registered charity. Ben was delighted to bring his good friend Chris Skirrow, who just happens to be a Leeds supporter, with him to the game. Chris also served in Afghanistan (as did Ben) and received personal injuries, which were to change his life. Ben and Chris cemented a true friendship over the period of time they were both going through rehabilitation at Headley Court. Their support for their respective football teams has created much friendly ‘banter’ between them over the seasons, but their sporting rivalry can never undo the great bond of friendship and mutual admiration they have for each other, and all their fellow ex-service personnel.
Ben Parkinson MBE is a patron of ‘Pilgrim Bandits’. ‘Pilgrim Bandits’ is able to provide the care and support it does because of the hundreds of volunteer fundraisers and challengers who wish to help. If you would like to become involved in helping to raise funds for ‘Pilgrim Bandits’ contact them now and they will give all the help they can to you.
If you would like to know more about the work of ‘Pilgrim Bandits’ please go to www.pilgrimbandits.org If you would simply like to donate to the charity you can do so at www.justgiving.com/pilgrimbandits “Go as a pilgrim and seek out danger, and seek stimulation in the company of the Brave”.
Pilgrim Bandits raised a staggering £1,097 at the match on Saturday! We would like to thank fans of both sides who donated towards this great cause.