A GROUP of past and present Bradford on Avon Rugby Club players have raised more than £17,600 to help the Lewis Moody Foundation, which supports young people with brain tumours.

They and their family and friends have run more than 4,000km to support club stalwart Pete Kerr, 34, who was given a life-changing cancer diagnosis in February.

Mr Kerr, who has played at least eight seasons of rugby at Bradford, was told he had a grade four glioblastoma.

Mr Kerr said: “I’m truly overwhelmed by the response in my hour of need. The lads are really digging deep and going above and beyond in support of myself and the Lewis Moody Foundation.

“What started out as six or seven lads running for me and a target of £700 has spiralled to 30 to 40 lads running to raise more than£17,000. I cannot thank them enough.”

“This money will go towards finding a cure for this horrible disease and, if they cannot find a cure in my lifetime, then it will go to research.”

Mr Stace added: “By getting our trainers on as a team, we wanted to show Pete and Helen, we are all by their side.

"One of my favourite examples of how the players and families have made it their own, is a father and son who went out dressed as superheroes.

"Not only did it bring a smile, raise awareness and plenty of funds. They ended up with a band of 6-7 heroes and the wonderful people at the Lewis Moody Foundation made it into a cartoon strip montage.

"We've had people who've hardly run before completing their first half marathon, so it's really made us all think about what is possible."

“However, it is fair to say it has really snowballed since then. We now have approximately 60 people taking part and we have exceeded £17,600 for the Lewis Moody Foundation.

“Having played with Pete for the best part of a decade, it has been really inspiring how many former teammates have reached out, including his former club Didsbury Old Bedians, many of whom have made their own pledges and the Keynsham U13s who Pete also helps coach in his spare time.”The fundraisers have smashed through their £15,000 target. To donate, go to via https://justgiving.com/team/boarugby