Rugby ladies go the extra mile
Members of Horsham Ladies Rugby have collectively travelled the distance from Land’s End to John o’Groats and back in lockdown fundraiser for charity.
The team of around 40 players, coaches and supporters have covered 1,720 miles and so far raised more than £1,000 for the Horsham Foodbank.
They have smashed their goal to just travel the 874 mile distance from Lands End in Cornwall to John o’ Groats in Scotland, and they plan to continue until the second lockdown is due to end on Wedneday, December 2.
Gina Leadbeatter, from Horsham Ladies Rugby said: “The announcement of the second lockdown came as a great sadness to us all.
“Like everyone else in many
sports and activities we have had training and matches cancelled over the next four weeks.
“The team had been performing really well in the season so far winning games against Sussex Police and Farnham.
“Our type of play has been adapted to meet Covid
regulations meaning we’ve been playing non-contact touch rugby. The team have put lots of hours into fitness and training in this new way.
“In order for all our hard work not to go to waste or fitness to decrease during our second lockdown we set our team a very exciting (difficult) challenge.”
Those taking part have been walking, running, cycling and even sea swimming independently or in pairs to get the miles in which is being recorded via the Strava app and uploaded to the team’s Facebook page.
Gina said: “The team have really embraced the challenge and there have been some amazing photos and enjoyment over the last week or so. We have had players out on their crutches and even front row props running!
“We have decided to keep the challenge going for the whole of the lockdown period and just see how far we can travel as we are raising money for a very important local cause – Horsham Food Bank – supporting local people at this difficult time and the lead up to Christmas.”
To donate visit https://www. justgiving.com/fundraising/ Horsham-Ladies-Rugby-Team