Bo’ness rugby lockdown walk down – to Rome!

The team still hope to climb Ben Nevis – their original fundraising plan – but it won’t be such a tall order after their extraordinary trek during lockdown.

A full rugby 15 and seven substitutes walked 3474 miles instead of climbing Britain’s tallest mountain – a distance to match the journey between Murrayfield and each of the other five 6 Nations venues.

It took the team four months to complete their accumulated distance, but they finished on Saturday at Murrayfield, welcomed by Scotland Grand Slam winner Sean Lineen and wife Lynne.

They even had a Pedalo For Doddie event where they performed laps of the Helix Park’s lagoon to represent the distance of the Irish Sea and English Channel! It alone raised £700 for the pot, which will be given to the ‘My Name’5 Doddie’ charity for Motor Neurone Disease.

Organiser Mark MacDonald said: “It has been an incredible experience and the club has managed to raise £3400 for My Name’5 Doddie which will go towards supporting the fight against Motor Neurone Disease. There have been many people to thank from everyone who put in miles, the support from the local community and businesses, and the rugby community. So thank you to everyone supporting us.

“We have had immense support throughout, with videos from Doddie Weir, Scott Hastings, David Sisi, Jonny Petrie, Leo Cullen and Murray McCallum. Social Media shout outs from Pro14 clubs across Europe spurring us on and keeping us on track.”

The team finished on Saturday with the 20-mile walk from the club in Recreation Ground to BT Murrayfield, and back again.

Mark added: “It was a physically and mentally challenging walk, but they kept spirits high by sharing live video updates and stopping for a quick halfway pint. They were greeted by friends and family arriving back at Bo’ness Rugby Club after walking for just under seven hours bringing in the end of our challenge.

“However, it is not over there, we still plan on walking Ben Nevis to complete our journey which will take place on a very special day, Doddie’s birthday, July 4, 2021.”

To contribute to that fund visit https://uk.gofundme.com/f/bo039ness-rugby-ben-nevis-climb