The Poppyscotland Hearts and Heroes Challenge is calling for Scotland’s rugby clubs to support there own by entering a team of four into the stunning 29-mile, one-day fitness challenge, to walk or run for charity, over the unspoilt and scenic Southern Upland Way .
The route commences at the southern end of St Mary’s Loch, working its way along the stunning Southern Upland Way, culminating in the beautiful town of Melrose where a party will await its competitors.
There are three finishes – bronze (12 miles), silver (21 miles) and gold – so that participants of all levels of fitness and ability can aim for a target that suits them.
The Challenge is a maximum 12-hour walk or trail run for teams of four minimum and has six categories:
Age 16-18
Mixed (minimum 2 women)
Women Only
Men Only
Fastest Armed Services Team
Fastest Rugby Team.
It is fitting that the challenge ends in Melrose as the founder of Poppyscotland, Field Marshal Earl Haig, was from nearby Bemersyde, where his son, the current Earl Haig, still lives today.
www.heartsandheroes.co.uk has all the details you require including a DVD - introduced by John Beattie - describing both the route, and the work of the three befiting charities.
As well as a great day out, this event has, with your support, the potential to raise great sums of money for disabled rugby players and young injured service personnel.
Organised by The Sportsman's Charity, working with partners Hearts and Balls and Poppyscotland, Scottish Rugby’s Murrayfield Centenary Fund is also a beneficiary.
Entry per team of four is £300 (£75 each) to cover the cost of the even while entrants are asked to target their clubs, friends, and business associates, to raise further sponsorship thereafter.
For would-be sponsorship packages, with excellent benefits, from £100 to £5000+ see :-
http://www.heartsandheroes.co.uk/docs/hh-sponsorship-opportunities.pdf. Opening “Justgiving” account (www.justgiving.com/granitejimtaylor) in your club’s name is a useful and easy was to run your fundraiser
Scottish Rugby Union President, Jim Stevenson, said: “I want our rugby community to set a standard for care and support which truly will live up to the strapline of “Rugby supporting its own”. We will of course be aided in our efforts by Poppyscotland, who will be ensuring strong – and competitive! - services team entries. There will also be plenty of corporate entries, ready to prove that they can take everyone else on!
“Every club will hear directly from its Council representative, but an early commitment of intended interest will help not only in guaranteeing your club’s participation – there are only 200 team places for clubs, companies, service and school/junior entry, women and mixed teams - but will allow you time to attract support for those representing you, from your local rugby community.
“The sponsorship theme, in this difficult financial time, is the old Scots wisdom of “Mony a mickle maks a muckle”. So, however you choose to do it, your help, small or great, is essential in getting out to lots of people, by entering the event as soon as you can decide, and then seeking support from every rugby related quarter. Let’s get the teams in and make this the first of what will be Scottish rugby’s great and famous fundraising event.”

Registration is required to guarantee a place however a note of intended interest can be made without cost to the Sportsman’s Charity at the email address below:
Send your name, your proposed team-name, and club / company name and phone number.
John N M Frame Chief Executive, The Sportsman's Charity, 30 Murrayfield Road Edinburgh EH12 6ER
Tel H:0131 3460077 M: 07715112784 [email protected], www.sportsmanscharity.com

This article was posted on 18-Jan-2009, 20:47 by Hugh Barrow.