In September this year (2025) Blaina Rugby Club will officially be 150 years old, which will be a significant milestone in their history. The club has a rich history for success and achievement, and as well as celebrating this fantastic milestone with various events, The Club would like to give something back to the local community, and in particular the Hospice of the Valleys.

The Hospice do some amazing work in the community, and are always there to support people when they are going through the worst of times. They provide Specialist Palliative Care services, including community nursing, an in-reach service to community hospitals, bereavement support, physiotherapy, welfare rights advice, complementary therapy, emotional support and a dedicated service for patients living with a dementia diagnosis.

To help raise some much needed funds, so they can continue to provide these services, on the 11th to 13th September a group of riders on behalf of Blaina Rugby Club will be cycling 300 miles for this fantastic cause.

Setting off from Blaina Rugby Club on Thursday 11th September they will be crossing the border to England then heading North to the Midlands, and in particular The William Webb Ellis Statue in the town of Rugby. This first leg is 120 miles and they will then rest up for the night before setting off again on the Friday for another 120 miles. The second day will have them heading South to Oxford before heading back across country to Gloucester, and in particular Kingsholm, the famous ground of Gloucester Rugby Club. Whilst there, they will pick up a signed match ball, before resting up ready for the 3rd and last day.

On Saturday 13th they will leave Gloucester and start heading back to Blaina, another 60 miles. They will hopefully make it back in time to present the Blaina Team with the Match Ball before Kick Off.

Many of the riders have either proudly played or been associated with Blaina Rugby Club over the years. However, none of them are what you might call ‘Spring Chickens’, with an age range from late-forties to mid-sixties, so this is definitely a huge challenge.

The vast majority have received support from the Hospice of the Valleys during some awful times in their lives. This is our way of trying to give something back.

We hope you support us by either donating or just sending us messages of support.