Rugby clubs generally struggle to retain their players after colts (18+ years) as players move away from their homes for jobs and/or further education. Occasionally players are enticed to clubs who have the resources to pay players, which due to being in a small countryside town, our club does not.

My club, Whitchurch RFC, has a tremendously successful Minis, Juniors and Colts section. I hope to create a fund to support young men who choose to continue to play for the club's mens teams after they leave colts rugby. Things like travel costs, kit, bandages and other supplies, or a bit of beer/food money, or just a small token of thanks after the match at the discretion of the committee where lads have made a special effort to commit to the club.

For this reason, I'm cycling with my friend Grant Valentine to all the 'Whitchurches' in the UK to raise some money for this cause. The journey takes me down the middle of the country, through Stratford, Aylesbury, Reading - on down all the way to Tavistock, back through Bristol, Monmouth and Cardiff - and annoyingly all the way to Haverfordwest before turning for home!

If you would like to support our future Whitchurch RFC stars, please donate what you can and thank you very much from all of us.