Loch Lomond Rugby Club players and coaches have been clocking up the miles for a good cause, whilst also giving their competitive spirits a much-needed run out.
Players and their families have been walking, running, cycling and even sledging to help raise funds for MND charity the My Name’s Doddie Foundation - a fundraiser with a competitive twist.
As well as competing for their region in a nationwide challenge that saw competitors rack up more than a million miles and raise over £1m prior to Saturday’s Calcutta Cup victory against England, Loch players have been competing in their own inter-club challenge.
And that has led to households competing against each other, like the Crumleys from Balloch - with dad Euan coaching son Callum in the U15s team, and mum Fran a coach for son Sam’s U13s.
Despite the competition however, Fran and Euan agree that the fundraiser has been great for the family - and the rugby club at large.
Fran told the Lennox: “This was our response to going into lockdown again after the Christmas and New Year holidays.
“We really wanted a way to keep all of our players connected and engaged in physical activity and we thought that this would be a fabulous way to do it.
“The miles can include anything; from walking to cycling, running, sledging, dog-walking. Anything.
“The activities that you could do were really widespread.
“It was also an opportunity for us to say to our players that they could do something with their families.
“I think we’ve all spent a lot of time at our computers; be that homeschooling, working or whatever else.
“Through Doddie Aid the players have been able to spend time outdoors with their families, and have that opportunity to connect with each other, as well as connecting to the club again.
“Alongside this we’ve been having weekly Zoom calls with our players just to give them a wee weekly update on the totals for each team.
“It’s amazing to see some of the players when they talk about how far they’ve gone, you can even see a wee glint in their eye.
“It gives them such a sense of pride and achievement.
“That competitive nature also comes out.”
Euan meanwhile was keen to stress the importance of staying active - especially with workplaces and schools operating from home.
He added: “We’ve got a couple of other families like within the club as well, and that added bit of competition just adds a wee bit more motivation to get out the door in the first place.
“Anything that’s helping people to be physically active in whatever way just now is important.
“I think we all understand the importance of just moving at a time like this.
“That’s why the challenge is so good, it’s not just about running all the time; you can go dog walking, ride a bike and actively encourage all members of the household to do it together.
“We’ve been sharing photographers and wee stories on our Facebook groups, and that just seems to motivate people to get out.
“It can be the simple things; you’d be amazed how quickly you start to rack up the miles even after just a short walk at the end of a work or school day.”
In total the teams from Loch Lomond clocked up more than 1100 miles during the event, with the club’s junior section donating £5 to the foundation for every player who signed up.
And generous Scotland fans who put in the miles got their reward on Saturday afternoon, as Gregor Townsend’s men secured their first win at Twickenham since 1983.
