Rugby boys step out in kilts to help charity effort

Professionals and amateurs from the sport joined together at Scotstoun to call on the rugby community to walk for Hearts and Balls, a rugby charity which supports players who suffer life changing injuries.

Scotstoun-based Glasgow Warriors stars Fraser Brown and James Eddie were joined by GHK players Daniel Campbell and Danny Hoffman, who both plan to walk 26 miles for the charity.

Daniel, scrum-half for the BT National League Division 3 champions GHK, said: “Hearts and Balls is a charity very close to all our hearts.

“We all know how easily injury can occur. We are still very lucky to be able to play the game we love.

“As a team, we want to give back as much as we can to the charity, and this is a great opportunity to raise funds that will make a real difference.

“There will be a brilliant atmosphere at the race, just like there is when I go to watch the Warriors!”

Jim Taylor MBE is the Partnership Account Manager at Glasgow Warriors and he is on the board at Hearts and Balls.

At just 23, while playing rugby for Kelvinside, a club which later amalgamated with High School to become GHK, he suffered a broken neck after a scrum collapsed. But none of that changes his love for the sport.

The 59-year-old said: “Rugby is my passion, and I am lucky enough to work in the sport I love.

“The boys at Warriors, GHK and many other clubs around Glasgow are extremely supportive of the charity. There’s a real rugby community out there and I hope they all take part to raise money for Hearts & Balls, as well as other wonderful charities.”

The Kiltwalk is supported by Sir Tom Hunter and the Hunter Foundation, which means every penny raised will go to Scotland’s children.

Kiltwalk has raised £2.4 million since 2011 and charities who have benefited include the Yorkhill Children’s Unit at the new Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Glasgow and Calum’s Cabin on Bute which gives respite to the families of terminally ill children.