George Eastwell (23) and Jake Woolmore (26), two Jersey Reds players, are behind a project to make 50 cowbells to sell in aid of the Jersey Children’s charity.
It has taken three months to produce the bells and half of them have already been sold. Anyone who buys a cowbell before Christmas will have it hand-delivered by either George or Jake.
The project was launched after George, who plays outside centre, suffered a knock to the head in August which left him with concussion. He has been out of action ever since.
To fill his spare time, the business graduate decided to look at ways he could raise money for charity as well as getting more people to Jersey Reds games.
He said: ‘American footballers have the cowbells at games and football teams in Switzerland use them too. I just thought that because of our connection with the Jersey cow it would make a good product.
‘I asked the club if we could go ahead with the idea. They gave us full responsibility and told us to go ahead with it.
‘Everything was done in the Island and we wanted to pick a Jersey charity that would benefit from the sale of the bells. Jake used to work in care and he would see a lot of children and so wanted to pick a charity that supported children. We spoke with the charity and we liked everything they did.’
The bells cost £44.99 each and have been produced by local company Artisan Iron. The engraving has been done by C.I Engravers and the wooden box has been designed and produced by Jersey Oak.
George said: ‘We are hoping the cowbells will bring more atmosphere to the ground. They are all in working order and we want everyone who buys one to bring them along. I have been taking mine to games for a while now.
‘It’s been really fun being involved in the whole process. I did a business degree at university and I have been involved with the production, the marketing and the selling. It’s been like running a small company.’
A number of players from the club are also due to visit children in the Robin Ward at the Hospital later this month to give them Christmas presents.
Vicki Pearce, founder and vice-chairwoman of the Jersey Children’s Charity, said: ‘It is such a privilege to be receiving the support of the Jersey Reds. We are so grateful for all the work they are doing, which will help us to continue supporting Robin Ward and their families in the community.’
Anyone who wishes to purchase a cowbell can call Charlotte Huish on 499929, or email charlotte.huish@jerseyreds.je.
