By Ross Hancock

THE Cornish Pirates have announced the launch of the Cornish Pirates Foundation, with a focus on improving lives across Cornwall through the values of rugby.

The Cornish Pirates Foundation launches this Sunday at their opening Champ Rugby fixture of the season against the Doncaster Knights. The Foundation works alongside the Pirates to deliver structured programmes that use rugby’s core values of Teamwork, Respect, Discipline and Resilience, to create positive change for individuals and communities.

The Foundation will add to the programmes traditionally delivered by the Cornish Pirates community team, vastly amplifying the reach and impact of work on behalf of young and old across the Duchy. Examples include expanding the Pirates’ nationally award-winning campaign to encourage young men to stand up for women and girls, calling out violence and abuse when they see it and when they hear it.

There are also a number of events to look out for throughout the season where proceeds fund the Foundation, the next of which is the Cornish Pirates VIP event with former British & Irish Lion and Welsh international Shane Williams, who is joined by former England international Peter Winterbottom and hosted by Nick Knowles.

Cornish Pirates CEO Sally Pettipher said: “This is a landmark moment, bringing a dedicated team with 100% focus on positive outcomes for our communities through the new Pirates Foundation. I am grateful to the Foundation Board for their energy and expertise, and for their passion in benefiting young and old across the Duchy.”

You can donate to the foundation via https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=FWXK8QD95AYVQ