The Club has been running a programme of events in support of Tamara – including the Supporters Club shirt raffle at the Newcastle game and auction items at the recent Community Foundation Ball. To date over £4,000 has already been raised for the Tamara Johnson Trust Fund and in the run up to the Leeds game the players at Bath Rugby, supported by the Community Foundation, came up with a proposal that IF Bath reached the semi final of the Challenge Cup – we should use this game as part of the fundraising campaign.

What is planned is that ticket prices for the semi final v Sale will include a voluntary donation of £1 per ticket* for the Tamara Johnson Trust Fund. This is therefore an opportunity for supporters to make a donation to Tamara’s Trust Fund when they buy their ticket for the game*.

David Barnes, speaking on behalf of the players, said: “I visited Tamara in hospital recently and whilst the signs are encouraging the road to recovery will be long. She has now been moved to a special spinal unit at Oddstock Hospital in Salisbury where she can begin proper rehabilitation with specialist spinal Physios. At the Newcastle game we saw tremendous support from fans with a record amount raised through the shirt raffle and many supporters mentioned that they were keen to do more if they had the opportunity. The players thought that the semi final could be a great opportunity to raise money for Tamara.”

Bob Calleja, Chief Executive added: “We are delighted to support this proposal as part of the programme that the Club will be running to help Tamara. We are grateful to the ERC, organizers of the competition, and to Sale Sharks our opponents for their support. Under the rules of the competition a proportion of the gate receipts are payable to the visiting side but Sale Sharks have agreed to waive this in respect of the £1 donation. And, as it is a donation, no VAT is payable on the £1, so the whole amount will go to Tamara.”

Bath Rugby is planning a range of other fundraising ideas for Tamara at the semi final including the main collection, initiatives with corporate clients and the proceeds of the shirt raffle.

Vicky Heslop, Community Coach and Ladies Team player, said: “On behalf of the Ladies team I can say that we are thrilled with this support. The rugby community is very much a family and we have had a lot of help from around the country for Tamara. The initiatives at the Sale game will be a massive boost for the fund we have set up for her and allow us to provide practical help as and when required.”

*Tickets pre-booked using Season Ticket priority forms do not include this donation. If Season Ticket Holders who pre-booked their seat wish to donate a £1 they can do via bucket collectors at the game.

*In addition ticket purchasers can opt out of the donation by making this clear to Ticket Office staff when they book.

Tickets for the game will go on sale to Season Ticket Holders only on Monday 14th April, to Members on Wednesday 16th April and then on general sale from Thursday 17th April.