Rankin takes to his bike for rugby players’ charity

Scottish Rugby’s past president Ian Rankin will attempt two of Scotland’s most gruelling cycle runs covering nearly 150 miles to raise funds for rugby players fallen on hard times.

Ranks, who was president of the SRU in 2014-15 as well as a coach for Scotland A, Edinburgh Rugby and for more than a decade with Dundee HSFP, is now chairman of the Murrayfield Injured Players Foundation, Scottish Rugby’s own charity, set up in the Union’s centenary season back in 1973.

In order to raise more funds for the foundation, the keen cyclist is attempting two closed road events in the next two months – the 66 mile Loch Ness Etape tomorrow and the 81-mile Etape Caledonia on May 21.

He explained: “The MIPF supports amateur rugby players, male and female, who are suffering any financial hardship due to an injury playing the game.

“The concept of helping your own, and the difference I have seen it make to so many players over the years, has been a humbling experience and one that is a massive privilege to be involved with.

“Fund-raising is obviously an important part of our work and hopefully people will feel that this is a worthwhile cause. It’ll be tough, but as you can imagine, worth every drop of sweat.”

Ranks has set up a just giving page for donations at: http:// www.justgiving.com/owneremail/pleasesponsor/IanRankin4