Rugby players to make record attempt in memory of Richard Thomas

May 7 2009 by Katy Simpson, The Journal

A GROUP of rugby players are set to complete an epic record breaking passing move to raise money for a good cause.

The team of friends and team-mates of a man who died from leukaemia are hoping to become record breakers by continuously passing a ball while walking 550 miles.

To make it into the World Book of Records, they need to keep the ball in play 24 hours a day, while travelling between all the country’s Guinness Premiership grounds.

The challenge kicked off yesterday at the Newcastle Falcons’ Kingston Park, when a group of 10 set off on the first leg of the relay to Sale rugby club near Manchester – 140 miles away.

They were given a star send-off by Falcons heroes including Geoff Parling, Carl Hayman, Rob Vickers, and Tom May, who knows how difficult the challenge will be, as he cycled the route between all the Guinness Premiership grounds in June last year.

The walkers are planning to march through the day and night on their tour of the 14 clubs, which finishes at the home of England rugby, Twickenham, on May 16.

Although the relay teams are planning to have plenty of fun along the way, the event is also tinged with sadness.

The 12-day walk is being held in memory of Newcastle-based rugby player Richard Thomas, who lost his battle with leukaemia at the age of just 23.

It is 12 years since he died, but the pain never goes away for Richard’s mum Jenny Thomas, 59, from Denton Burn.

And being involved in the march is an important way for her to take part in the sport which meant so much to her son.