Nigel Pooley Takes on Sri Lanka Tuk-Tuk Challenge in Honour of Late Friend
Crowborough Rugby Club’s Nigel Pooley is gearing up for an unforgettable adventure in memory of his late friend and club legend, David “Dutch” Holland. Representing the club’s enduring spirit, Nigel and his teammate Jon Clements will take on the epic Wooden Spoon Sri Lanka Tuk-Tuk Adventure, a gruelling 500km journey across Sri Lanka in a three-wheeled tuk-tuk. Dubbed the ‘Front Row Folly,’ the duo aims to raise funds for Wooden Spoon, the children’s charity of rugby, with incredible support from Crowborough Rugby Club and the wider rugby community. What started as a £500 goal has now surged past £2,500, proving the strength of the rugby family.
Follow their journey and support their cause at www.justgiving.com/page/tuktukchallenge.
Nigel Pooley Takes on Sri Lanka Tuk-Tuk Challenge in Honour of Late Friend
Nigel Pooley is set to embark on the exhilarating Wooden Spoon Sri Lanka Tuk-Tuk Adventure, an 8-day challenge from 21 March to 29 March 2025 raising funds for Wooden Spoon. This unique event will see teams of two navigate over 500km of Sri Lanka’s stunning and diverse landscapes in a three-wheeled tuk-tuk, immersing themselves in cultural and adventure-based tasks along the way.
For Nigel, this adventure is more than just a test of endurance and navigation—it is a heartfelt tribute to his late friend, David “Dutch” Holland, a dedicated member of Crowborough Rugby Club since the age of four. Nigel and Dutch had once planned to take on the Mongol Rally together, but the pandemic and Dutch’s illness prevented them from realising their dream. In Dutch’s honour, Nigel conceived this challenge to reflect their shared passion for adventure and camaraderie.
Nigel will be joined by Jon Clements, his fellow British & Irish Wooden Spoon Vets rugby teammate, forming the aptly named team, ‘Front Row Folly’—a nod to their stature and the humorous image of two large men squeezed into a modestly powered tuk-tuk.
Nigel has been overwhelmed by the generosity and support from his Crowborough Rugby Club teammates, Wooden Spoon team players, friends, and family. Originally setting a fundraising target of £500, he has since raised the bar to an ambitious £2,500 thanks to overwhelming contributions, including a raffle featuring signed photos from 11 international rugby players.
As he prepares for the journey, Nigel has committed to an intense training regimen, hitting the gym three times a week to build endurance, swimming twice a week to prepare for potential monsoons, and refining his nationally-renowned sidestep—a key skill for avoiding any unexpected encounters with elephants on the road.
All funds raised will support Wooden Spoon, the children’s charity of rugby, dedicated to helping children and young people with disabilities or facing disadvantage. Donations are still being accepted, and supporters can contribute at: