Last updated 12:16, Saturday, 15 November 2008

MARTIN Ostler is going to the dogs, and he’s dragging Liam Harrison along with him.

They’ll also be going to the cats, rabbits, gerbils and any other pets which feature in the open day being held at St Francis Church, Barrow, on Monday, December 8, to mark the start of the RSPCA action week.

This worthy organisation will be dispensing free advice and guidance about pet care and animal welfare.

There will also be vouchers dished out towards the cost of having them neutered — the pets that is, not the players! What, you may ask, has that got to do with Barrow Raiders? Well I’ll try and explain.

As a club we are trying to increase the role we play in the community.

This means we are not just continually asking for your support, but are also trying to find ways in which we can serve you, the broader community.

The presence of two such popular players at the event may attract more publicity and encourage the public to come along.

For the younger fan, it may mean that if a couple of big rugby guys are there then it is not “uncool” to go along. If that leads to some teenagers getting useful information about their pets then it is a worthwhile exercise.

It also follows that the players are spreading the message about the Raiders to members of the public who don’t come along to games.

If it raises our profile it can only be a good thing. In addition, they will be wearing the club gear featuring the logos of the various sponsors, which is a useful selling point when we are negotiating sponsorship deals.

Apart from that it keeps them out of mischief — idle hands etc.

This week has seen some of the players take part in a photo-shoot for a calendar which will feature different sports teams.

One month will be dedicated to our players, who were nude with just a strategically-placed rugby ball to preserve their dignity.

The proceeds from the sales will go to the Help for Heroes charity, which provides aide for troops injured in Iran and Afghanistan. Something worth getting your kit off for, as I’m sure you’ll agree.

This week we have added to our green credentials as Adam Bracek, Liam Harrison, Lee Dutton and Liam Campbell have been posing for posters to encourage the cleaning of tins and jars before they are put in the recycling bins.

On Thursday, Dave Clark and Peter Millican were interviewed as part of the Furness Youth Radio project. They participated in a rugby quiz against a young man who triumphed over them.

At Barrow we will always try to identify staff training needs and provide suitable remedial education.

In this case, they are both sentenced to spend four hours stuck in a lift with Keith Nutter and Paddy McAteer — and if that doesn’t plug their knowledge gaps nothing will!

Next week will see players attending an Ulverston school to take part in media classes and present themselves for interview as part of the coursework.

We are also in another school in Barrow to help out with an anti-bullying campaign.

The club is in the envious position of having the majority of players coming from the area, or being locally-based. It is only right we make use of them to raise the profile of the Raiders and help others by taking part in community-based activities.

We know from comments we have received on previous occasions that pupils who can be disruptive will pay attention when the likes of Andy Ellis or Martin Ostler are taking part in the lessons.

In my opinion, it isn’t just because they have big muscles, I am sure that part of it is that it is a different approach and the students do not see them as representatives of the establishment.

Whatever it is, it works, and we should continue to provide a service whenever we can.

DAVE SEAR

VICE-CHAIRMAN, BARROW RAIDERS