CYCLING 515 miles in 48 hours is going to be thirsty work. That’s why Selkirk Rugby Club’s 10-man Cycling Souters team has said a massive ‘thank you’ to ASDA supermarket in Galashiels for donating 240 bottles of water for their trip to Wales.

The Selkirk contingent will join 120 other cyclists and support crews at Edinburgh’s BT Murrayfield stadium on Thursday morning, February 10, before setting off at 10am with the aim of reaching Cardiff’s Principality Stadium by the same time two days later.

The cyclists’ mission is twofold – helping to deliver the match ball in time for the Doddie Weir Cup rugby international between Wales and Scotland, and at the same time raising as much money as possible for the ‘My Name’5 Doddie Foundation’.

“We’re so grateful to ASDA for their generous support,” said Gordon Hunter, former Scotland internationalist and team captain of the Cycling Souters. “This trip has taken a huge amount of planning, and not having to worry about water supplies is a real bonus.”

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ASDA’s community colleague, Nola Milne, made the presentation on Thursday, and said the firm were delighted to be able to contribute to such a worthy cause.

“We’re only too pleased to help the charitable efforts of the local community. For example, over the Christmas period ASDA supplied a lot of prizes for raffles and draws run by local organisations.

“I only took on the role of community colleague for ASDA last year, and can honestly say this is the best job I’ve ever had.

“The enjoyment people get from the help that we give them is phenomenal, and seeing how much they appreciate that support means a lot to me and a lot to ASDA.”

Various rugby clubs along the route have agreed to act as feed stations and provide back-up, with Selkirk’s Philiphaugh ground the first official stop on Thursday, February 10 (approx. 1pm). Selkirk is the only local rugby club to have entered a team.

To date, individual members of the Cycling Souters team have raised £8,450 – exceeding their original target by over £2,500.

Other companies offering generous support to the Cycling Souters include Howdens, Hutchison Environmental Solutions, Elliston Fine Wines, JGM Services Electricians, Brown & Muir Plumbers, Bruce Hastie Electrical, Qube GB / Dawson's Rentals Tweedside Financial Services, Ashkirk Land, Border Safeguard and Crawford Builders.

The Cycling Souters’ team comprises ex- internationalists Gordon Hunter, Graham Marshall, Iwan Tukalo & Iain Paxton, Selkirk RFC vice-president David Anderson, ex-Selkirk players Tommy Knox, Kenny Pearce, Kevin Fairbairn and Allen Jamieson, as well as ex-Boroughmuir scum-half Mike Hall.

Former Selkirk players Lawrence McPherson and John Smail will accompany the team as support crew.

Anyone wishing to sponsor the Cycling Souters, and in so doing support the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, can do so by following this link –

https://www.justgiving.com/team/TheCyclingSouters