MOTIVATED by the story of Rob Burrow’s hard fought battle with Motor Neurone Disease, players from Penrith RUFC are taking on a gruelling charity challenge.

Penrith RUFC First Team Captain, Ed Swale, and his fellow teammates Josh Dowson and Dan Morgan will be running 30 continuous miles on Saturday to raise funds and awareness for Rob Burrow and the MND Association Charity.

Three players are taking on the charity challenge tomorrow, spurred-on by the bravery Rob Burrow is showing in his fight against Motor Neurone Disease.

The former Leeds Rhinos pro and the punishing disease he faces has been the focus of a number of fundraiser recently, including from his former teammate Kevin Sinfield.

Penrith RUFC players have encouraged others to challenge themselves, moving in whatever way they can manage, for any distance and donating to the MND Association before nominating someone else.

Penrith’s 30 mile challenge has so far raised £2,780 on Just Giving for the charity and they aim to top the £3,000 mark.

The team have revealed their route so that people can come out to support.

They will start their challenge at the Penrith RUFC club, running down Eamont Bridge. The mid point of their challenge sees them running downhill to Langwathby before an uphill “slog” to Penrith Golf Club.

Their journey ends back at the rugby club for around 1pm.

Josh Dowson said: “Thank you to everyone who has been involved in our challenge, running themselves and donating.

“We’ve had a shout out from Rob Burrow himself and we are amazed with the donation amount total so far.

“For anyone watching his programme or following Rob on his social media, it has had a massive impact on all of us and led us to this challenge.”

The team have given a special thank you to civil engineering service Waitings, Penrith bakery Bells of Lazonby and their club.

“We greatly appreciated all donations,” the team continued to say.