Members of an Anglesey rugby club whose season was ended early by COVID-19 are attempting to walk, run and cycle 2,517 miles for charity during May.

Menai Bridge Rugby Club’s COVID-19 fundraising challenge will see players and supporters use the daily hour of exercise permitted under the government’s stay at home guidance to cover the 2,517 miles from Menai Bridge Rugby Club to the Six Nations rugby grounds of Wales, England, Scotland, Ireland, France and Italy.

In doing so, they hope to raise much needed funds for St David’s Hospice, a local charity which continues to provide high quality end of life hospice care to patients throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2018 St David’s Hospice and Hospice at Home Gwynedd and Anglesey merged to form one charity to deliver hospice care across Conwy, Gwynedd and Anglesey.
St David’s Hospice has been hit hard by COVID-19. In March they were forced to close their 26 shops and stop all face to face fundraising activity including events and lottery cash collections.

Overnight, 90% of their income dried up, but they have kept most of their clinical services open to the community. They have now launched a recovery fund to raise over £1m in lost income in order to keep their services available to those who need them.

Menai Bridge Rugby Club play in the Specsavers National League 3 North and also boast a thriving junior section. Rugby club members are no strangers to fundraising challenges and have used the annual Menai Raft Race to raise thousands of pounds for good causes.

Darren Owen, Chairman of Menai Bridge Rugby Club, said: “We’re proud to be doing our bit for a fantastic local charity which really needs our support at this difficult time.

“Anyone can get involved in the challenge and it’s easy to take part. Whether you’re walking with your family, logging the distance you cover during your working day, or keeping fit by cycling or running – please join us and help raise much needed funds for St David’s Hospice.”

Players and supporters have already covered over 1,300 miles, including virtual visits to Cardiff, Edinburgh, London and Dublin. The rugby club are currently on the French Swiss border as they attempt to reach the Stadio Olympico in Rome.

Players and supporters are being encouraged to log their mileage using the Strava app, or by emailing mbrfcfundraising@gmail.com

To donate or find out how you can get involved please visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/menai-bridge-rugby-club