Old Skool, long lunch, big heart: how a lunch in the City became MRRF’s biggest day of the autumn
A sold-out room, a tall tale or two, and a lot of generosity. Thank you to the Wasps Legends and everyone who came, bid and raffled for MRRF on 8th October.
On 8th October the Wasps Legends gathered in the City for their Long Lunch, with the Matt Ratana Rugby Foundation as the event’s grant beneficiary. Here’s what that means, and why a lunch can do more good than most people expect.
Rugby tales have a habit of getting taller with every telling. That’s a big part of the appeal of a long lunch. Give a room full of ex-players three courses, a bar and a few hours, and you’ll hear the same match described three different ways, each one a little more heroic than the last.
On Thursday 8th October 2026, that room was The Anthologist on Gresham Street in the City of London, and the occasion was the Wasps Legends Long Lunch. The theme was “Old Skool”. Doors opened at midday, lunch was served at one, the auction got going at three, and the formal part wrapped at four, with the bar carrying on after. It sold out.
The Matt Ratana Rugby Foundation was there as the event’s grant beneficiary.
Who are the Wasps Legends?
The Wasps Legends Charitable Foundation was set up in 2012 by former Wasps players and supporters. In the years since it has raised more than £1 million for causes connected to rugby and its community. The Long Lunch is one of its biggest UK fundraiser, and past editions have drawn up to 300 people from the Wasps and wider rugby family.
Its giving takes different shapes. It has backed a youth charity in an annual grant programme, and in 2024 the Long Lunch’s event grant went to Millimetres 2 Mountains. Another fundraising push raised £9,000 for Wasps FC to help people who can’t play rugby because of financial hardship. That’s a good clue to the values: rugby shouldn’t be priced out of anyone’s reach.
How an event grant works
For the Long Lunch, the Foundation commits a minimum of 30% of the overall net fundraising profit to the beneficiary. That includes the net proceeds from items the beneficiary contributes, subject to a final review. In return, the charity brings people with it.
For MRRF, that meant:
- bringing a table of guests
- giving a short talk or video to the room
- writing a feature of around 500 words, with photos and a testimonial, for the event brochure and the Legends’ new impact page
- donating two auction items and one raffle prize
- sharing the news with our own supporters
It’s a proper partnership, not a cheque in an envelope. We bring the story, they bring the room.
Why it fits
MRRF exists to create opportunity, provide guidance and inspire change for young people through rugby. Our projects aim to reach the young people who need support most. The Wasps Legends are an obvious ally: both organisations are driven by former players and fans who know what a team gave them and want to pass it on. And there’s a connection to Matt himself, a coach who gave his time to anyone who turned up.
And the day itself?
What we can say is this. A long lunch might look like an excuse for a good time, but it works because the good time and the generosity can’t be pulled apart. Rugby’s community has always been brilliant at turning friendship into funding, and an afternoon of stories at a table has a way of loosening wallets for causes people believe in.
To the Wasps Legends, and to everyone who came, bid, raffled or simply told a tall tale: thank you. You’ve helped us put a ball in more young people’s hands, a connect them with their community and create opportunity for positive choices.