Ospreys age-grade coach, David Weatherley, is heading up a special fundraising challenge with two friends, entitled '14 in 14'.
Former Welsh rugby international David Weatherley is heading up a special fundraising challenge, entitled ’14 in 14’ that will see him joined by friends Tom Price and Christopher Healings to attempt 14 different endurance events throughout 2014 in aid of charity.
The trio, who are lifelong friends from Bishopston, are aiming to raise much needed funds for charitable causes in South Wales, and kick-off the challenge on Saturday when they undertake the ‘Tour of Ospreylia’, a cycle ride that will see them set off from Swansea’s RFC’s, St Helens ground and take in the four Premiership rugby club grounds in the region. They will stop off at the Gnoll in Neath, Aberavon’s Talbot Athletic Ground and the Brewery Field in Bridgend, before returning to Swansea to round off the tour at the Liberty Stadium, home of the Ospreys.
Cash raised over the course of the next 12 months will be split between Cystic Fibrosis Wales and Morriston Hospital’s cardiovascular centre.
2014 will see the three participants participating in events such as the Cardiff Half Marathon, the Port Eynon Olympic Triathlon and the Pembrokeshire Bike Ride, along with a number of challenges specially created by them for this cause, starting with Saturday’s ‘Tour of Ospreylia’.
Weatherley, who is now involved with the Ospreys player development programme as an age-grade coach with the Ospreys West U16s team, said:
“We came up with the idea of a year-long challenge for a good cause while in the pub over the festive period. In a short period of time since then it has grown and is beginning to look a little more daunting than the idea that was originally in our heads.
“It is going to be a grueling physical challenge for three men going through a mid-life crisis, but we are hoping to raise some much needed money for two local charities that are very close to our hearts.
“The ‘Tour of Ospreylia’ is a fitting way for us to get the challenge underway and we have almost finalised our calendar of activities for the year, most activities will either involve running, cycling or swimming and a number of them a combination of all three.
“We hope that everyone who knows us will show their support. If anyone wants to join us on any of our events throughout the year, either to 'inspire' us or 'carry' us over the finish lines, they are more than welcome.”
There is a Facebook page set up with full details of the challenge including how to donate, which can be found at https://www.facebook.com/pages/14-in-14-Challenge/1436660799896338, or follow the challenge on Twitter @14in14challenge