Around 60 members of the Women’s Rugby Team will be taking part in the team’s challenge to collectively travel 895 miles.
The girls will be virtually travelling from John O’Groats to Land’s End throughout the month of June in the hopes of raising £200 for The Wave Project.
The teams new committee has just come into power and wanted to create a challenge for their fellow teammates and give them a goal to aim for whilst also staying connected with one another and keeping fit.
Originally the club mapped out their route and decided to divide it by 60, however they then decided to challenge the girls to set their own goals. As everyone has their own limits and motivations, this will allow everyone a sense of accomplishment.
The club’s members will each keep track of their miles and send all updates to one of the committee members. They can build up their distance through activities such as running, walking, cycling, dog walking, or even a combination.
Tayla Ihlenfeldt, President of the NTU Women’s Rugby Club, 20, said: “This virtual challenge will help us as a club to stay connected when we can’t see each other. It is nice to feel as though we are encouraging each other to complete this challenge and unite.”
The girls hope to raise £200 for The Wave Project, a small charity which uses surfing to help improve the emotional, mental, and physical wellbeing of young people.
Tayla added: “It will be nice to help fund a charity which isn’t so well known and holds values which we as a club try to incorporate daily.
“Whether we reach our goal or exceed it by a long shot, the charity will be so appreciative of our donations and help, and that’s what means a lot to us.
“When we can’t do what we love (Rugby) it is important to help those who are trying to do what they love and support their work.
“This means more than just us running around our neighbourhoods, it’s to raise money for The Wave Project and to give something back.”
The girls are no stranger to fundraising for local charities, as the club is well known for its annual charity sleepout, where from 8pm until 8am they sleep on the streets of Nottingham to raise money for Tracey’s Kitchen.
Whilst this fundraiser is different from what they normally do the girls see it as an opportunity to reach new people in the community and help spread awareness on other issues.
By Laycie Beck
Featured photo credit: Nottingham Trent University.