Selkirk RFC hit charity target in double quick time

Selkirk head coach Scott Wight (second left) was delighted by the Philiphaugh players’ charity efforts (picture by Grant Kinghorn).

On May 9, Selkirk RFC launched a unique challenge to raise £500 for the Selkirk Food Bank.

Head coach Scott Wight challenged his players to see how far they could run, cycle or walk each day, with the distances travelled being added together with the aim of reaching an accumulated total of 1907 kilometres (a figure matching the year Selkirk RFC was instituted, 1907).

Incredibly, just eight days after its official launch, the charity challenge had not only hit the 1907km mark, cash pledged by friends, family and supporters has rocketed to £1917 – way beyond the original £500 target, and equalling a pound for each kilometre completed.

“I never thought the challenge would be finished in such a phenomenally quick time,” said Wight. “All credit goes to the boys who, from day one, bought into the challenge and gave it their best shot. It’s been a great team effort.

“I’ve spoken to Peter Birney, Selkirk Food Bank’s co-ordinator, who’s delighted with what we’ve been doing. He said the money will give everyone involved with their operation a big boost at what is proving a really busy time for them.”

The charity challenge’s JustGiving page is being kept open for the next few days to see if the total can nudge past the £2000 mark.

Not resting on their laurels, Selkirk’s players are now being challenged by Wight to come up with another idea to raise funds for other local charities in the days and weeks ahead.

“It’s been a good way to keep everyone moving,” he added. “If the players can keep on top of their fitness levels, this should make things a bit easier when we can get back to full training.

“That’s why I’ve asked the boys to think about what we could have a crack at next, and, hopefully, someone will come up with an idea to keep this momentum going.”