Edinburgh Rugby smash £70,000 target on unforgettable Change the Game night

From the moment fans entered the stadium, it was clear this was about far more than rugby: a whole club coming together in support of a cause that touches the lives of families across Scotland every single day.

Three players took to the field carrying names of three young fans who have been supported by It’s Good 2 Give throughout their cancer journeys.

Ewan Ashman played for Lawrence, Pierre Schoeman played for Archie, and Darcy Graham played for Mason — three young men whose stories formed the very soul of the evening.

Mason featured in a pre-match interview on Premier Sports, while Lawrence had the honour of being involved in announcing at half-time that the £70,000 target had been surpassed, before presenting the BKT Player of the Match award at full-time.

The match ball itself was delivered by the Lyon family – Scott, Olivia, and their children Isaac and Blair – a moment that brought the occasion into sharp focus.

Blair, who is two years old, was diagnosed with retinoblastoma in December 2024 and has since undergone eight months of chemotherapy and surgery to remove his left eye.

His family have been supported throughout by It’s Good 2 Give, and their presence on the Hive Stadium pitch on Friday night was a reminder, if one were needed, of exactly why this fixture matters. You can read Blair’s story in full here.

At half-time, It’s Good 2 Give volunteers, charity staff, and families who have been supported by the charity were honoured with a lap of honour – a warm and well-deserved recognition of the community that has grown up around this partnership.

Behind the scenes, the generosity of Edinburgh Rugby’s sponsors played a significant role in getting over the line. Good Stuff Coaching Ltd, Arnold Clark, Hamiltons Law Accountants, Galbraith and Breadalbane all contributed per point scored on the night, helping drive the total beyond what anyone had dared hope.

Ruari Mackenzie, Board Member and Trustee of It’s Good 2 Give, said: “Friday night at Hive Stadium was something truly special – a night that showed what happens when an entire club comes together with a common purpose.

“From the players who carried the names of children we support, to every member of Edinburgh Rugby staff who gave everything behind the scenes, to the fans who turned up in such numbers and with such generosity, it was a night we will never forget.

“To smash the £70,000 milestone is extraordinary, and to have raised over £22,000 in a single season is a testament to how much Edinburgh Rugby supporters care.

“We are about creating moments that matter for the children and families we support, and without a doubt, Friday night’s game – with all the support from the Edinburgh Rugby community – made exactly that happen.

“We cannot wait to set a new target in 2026/27 and see what this club and its supporters can do again.”

The work doesn’t stop here.

Donations are still being accepted, and every pound raised goes directly towards supporting young cancer patients and their families across Scotland. To donate, visit the Edinburgh Rugby x It’s Good 2 Give JustGiving page here.