RUSSELL'S ODYSSEY
Gloucester rugby supporter Russell Brookes has organised an attempt on the World's Longest Rugby match which was set by Congleton RFC in July last year at 24 hours, 30 minutes and 6 seconds.
Brookes and 43 other blokes' attempt to break the record starts at noon on Saturday at Hartpury College with the majority of the players being made-up from Dowty RFC.
The rules are it must be two squads of 22, with rolling substitutes, and they will get a five minute break for every hour they play, but other than that it will be full IRB rules with qualified referees and qualified witnesses on duty for the whole time of the event.
Russell, from Bradley Stoke in South Gloucestershire, is not one to sit back and take things easy as last Sunday he completed a bike ride from Land's End to John O'Groats in aid of the charity Winston's Wish.
"Eighteen years ago my family and I experienced one of its darkest days when my dad, Alan committed suicide. Its a day I'll never ever forget and the repercussions of that day had a massive impact, for better or worse in making me the person I am now," he said.
"I was only 11 years old and had no idea on how to deal with the situation. I was lucky that my mum was amazing and thought of me and my brother, Stu before anything else though and got us sent to an event organised by Winston's Wish.
"At the time it was a small local charity, designed to help young children dealing with the death of a loved one. Without Winstons wish I'm not sure I would have got through those dark times.
"I've long thought of doing something to honour my Dad's name and give back to the charity that helped me so much. I can imagine my old man making some sarcastic remark about how stupid I am!"
The target was to raise £4,500 from the cycle ride but the collection on http://donatetobreastcancer.org/Russell-Brookes/4 has already passed that and more is still coming in plus sponsorship from the rugby match.
Donations for the event can be made at http://www.justgiving.com/shedweb24hoursofrugby
Good signing for Gloucester Rugby.
