Rugby players are on the pull (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Rugby players are on the pull

8:20am Wednesday 24th October 2012 in News

TWO former rugby players from Wyre Forest will be among a group of men pulling a narrowboat 30 miles in five days to raise cash for research into cancer.

Neil Evans 43, of Bewdley, who played for Droitwich and Stourport rugby clubs, and Graham Pockets, 42, of Stourport, who played for Droitwich, will join four other ex-rugby players to pull the boat from Birmingham to Worcester.

The team will take it in turns to man the ropes when they set off on the gruelling challenge next Tuesday from Gas Street Basin in Birmingham city centre. They are expected to finish at the Anchor, Worcester at 3pm on Saturday.

Mr Evans said: “When I was living on a boat last year I was trying to think of a way to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

“After watching a marathon on the television, I started to wonder if I could pull a boat the same distance.”

Maria Parker, Cancer Research UK’s area volunteer manager for Worcestershire, said she was “delighted” they were taking up the challenge for the charity.

“They have being doing lots of preparation and we’re sure even though it will be hard work that they’re going to have an amazing experience,“ she said.

“We can’t thank them enough for all their support and want to wish them all the very best for the boat pull.”

People can sponsor the team at justgiving.com/boat-nag2012