Oakham Rugby Club friends raise funds for The Matt Hampson Foundation

A pair of close friends are set to take on a cycling mission to raise funds for The Matt Hampson Foundation.

James Beanland and Ben Turnball, members of Oakham Rugby Club, will be cycling past 18 different rugby venues within Leicestershire and Rutland in one day.

The route is expected to cover more than 140 miles with a combined climb of 6,500 feet, which James and Ben hope to complete in under 12 hours.

James, 34, said: “Me and Ben work together and play rugby. We turned to cycling in lockdown to replace rugby as a time for fitness.

“We started cycling more miles and enjoyed it more than we thought we would do so we decided to do it for charity.

“The decision for the charity was easy. I know Matt Hampson personally. I played rugby with him when I was younger and we have always wanted to do something for him.”

The Matt Hampson Foundation - created by the former Oakham Rugby Club and Leicester Tigers player - provides advice, support, relief and treatment for anyone suffering serious injury or disability due to any cause, but in particular from sport. The Get Busy Living Centre was built in Burrough on the Hill to provide rehabilitation.

James, who lives in Oakham, said: “We set a target of £1,000 when we first decided to do it and set up a JustGiving Page - we are at £1,300 already. The response has been brilliant from friends, family, the rugby community, clients and colleagues.

“I feel raising that much money gives us the motivation to push harder and raise even more money.

James and Ben are preparing for the challenge with regular cycles rides including travelling across hilly terrain.

James said: “Both Ben and I have been guilty of being people who rack up a lot of miles in the car and being quite negative to cyclists and their use of roads but we are certainly eating our words.

“We are both loving it as a sport and the competitive nature in itself, setting times for yourself.

“We will continue to ride after the charity ride which is great and we have even managed to inspire people involved to get on their bikes.”

The challenge is set to take place on August 30.

James said: “We encourage as many people to dig deep and donate.”

To make a donation visit their JustGiving page.