ROUGHYEDS are appealing to supporters to help them through the coronavirus crisis by supporting the Club Cash lottery.

Income from the scheme has dropped by 50 per cent with current COVID-19 restrictions preventing door-to-door collections.

Last month the club sent out hundreds of letters to lottery members and urged others to consider joining the draw, which could be a potential lifeline for Oldham RL club, for £1 a week.

In a letter signed by lottery manager John McAndrew, members were told: "As part of our constant reviewing of our operations and procedures our attention has turned to the current situation facing us all relating to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak.

"With that in mind we will be making a number of operational amendments in the coming weeks to minimise the threat to the lottery, the good causes we support and, most importantly, the health of staff and members.

"Whilst the interaction between agents and members is brief and doesn't constitute 'close contact', and the inherent risk to members is minimal, we are introducing ways for our collecting agents to reduce this risk further."

While some members paid agents differing amounts up front to cover the next few weeks and others subsequently filled in forms to start paying by direct debit or instructed their banks to do a bank transfer, the overall result was a significant drop in membership.

As a result, and one which is being felt by all clubs and organisations, Oldham have temporarily modified the weekly prize structure in line with the number of people taking part.

They still offer a weekly first prize of £1,000 plus further prizes of £100, £50, £25 and some £10 consolation prizes, and the club is urgently asking people to help the weekly draw in one of the following ways.

  • Pay a sum of your choice – ideally a minimum of £10 – direct into the club’s bank account, making sure you put your telephone number as a reference. The sort code is 23-18-84 and the account number is 19684341.
  • Ring the lottery team on 07904 898177. They are working from home during office hours from Monday to Friday and can take payment by credit or debit card.
  • Fill out a direct debit form which you can download from the club's website and send to the club address, namely Oldham RLFC, Vestacare Stadium, Whitebank Rd, Oldham OL8 3JH. It is important you send the form to the club and not to your bank.

Those who normally pay at the door are also asked to contact 07904 898177 so the club can ensure they have the correct data for cash members.