Rugby players raising £30,000 for cancer charity in 80 mile non-stop walk starting in Lambeth

Rugby players are raising money for cancer patients by making a gruelling 80 mile trek from South London to Portsmouth – in under 32 hours. 

On the morning of May 29, 63 brave walkers will set off from Guy’s Hospital Cancer Care Centre and are hoping to arrive at Portsmouth Rugby Club by the following evening.

They have already raised more than £30,000 for charity Rugby Against Cancer.

Peckham born Aaron Beesley, founder of the Rugby Against Cancer, said: “Rugby Against Cancer are excited and overwhelmed by how the Final Trek has been welcomed. 

“We have hit our target of £30,000 four weeks before the event. When you think that for the first trek in 2019 we raised £9000 and the second event we raised £19,000 this is just amazing.

“No-one should deal with a cancer diagnosis alone, and through the power of rugby we want to help those whose lives have been affected by cancer.”

He also encouraged anyone going through a cancer diagnosis to reach out to the charity, saying: “We want to help you.”

The walkers will be joined by members of Guy’s Hospital RFC – the oldest rugby club in the world.

Rugby Against Cancer is a non-profit organisation that helps rugby players, their families and members of the rugby community who have been affected by cancer.

Mr Beesley started the organisation after seeing how cancer affected people in his local rugby clubs.

He said: “I have also had very close family and friends who have had cancer and seen first-hand the effect that this awful disease has on them, their family and their friends.

“With that in mind, I was thinking how to raise valuable funds for local and national charities to help those people. And it just clicked – rugby.

“The rugby family truly comes together to support each other. It is amazing how much they pull together to help others when in need. 

“I decided to call on the rugby family to help me raise as much money for these amazing charities so they can continue their amazing work.”

Rugby Against Cancer hosts regular fundraising events and raises awareness about the issue – including sharing personal stories from people in the Rugby Against Cancer family.

To donate to the fundraiser click here: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/TheFinalTrek2021