Guinness World Record attempt in Moray as RAF Lossiemouth Owls team aims to play touch rugby for 34 hours to raise money for Abbie's Sparkle Foundation charity as tribute to colleague

RUGBY players at RAF Lossiemouth will 'try' to break a world record by playing continuously for 34 hours in aid of a popular Moray charity.

The challenge begins on Saturday, August 14 when around 30 players associated with the Moray air base's Owls rugby squad start a game of touch rugby which they hope will carry on over the whole weekend.

All their efforts will raise money for Abbie's Sparkle Foundation, a charity inspired Elgin teenager Abbie Main's courage through her treatment for a childhood cancer before she passed away on Christmas Day, 2017.

One of the charity's most dedicated fundraisers was airman Gary Banford, who died last month after a battle with oesophageal cancer.

The former warrant officer from Forres was heavily involved in rugby with the RAF Lossiemouth, Kinloss and Banff clubs, and his work for Abbie's Sparkle Foundation gained over £25,000 in pledges.

As a tribute to their friend, Lossie serviceman Tommy Williams and fellow colleagues came up with the idea of a rugby-inspired shot at record-breaking glory which could also carry on his charity work.

They decided to plan out an attempt to play the world's longest game of touch rugby, initially setting a target of 31 hours until the previous record was broken, meaning they now have to go for 34 hours.

Mr Williams explained: "We picked this charity as last year one of the guys who was a big part of the rugby community at RAF Kinloss and Lossiemouth, Gary Banford, was unfortunately diagnosed with terminal cancer.

"During his treatment he was phenomenal, he raised so much money for the Abbie's Sparkle Foundation by performing fitness challenges.

"From that point on, the club decided to make the foundation our club charity.

"We wanted to try and replicate Gary's efforts for the charity and we decided to go big; attempt to break a world record.

"The foundation itself is excellent and punches way above its weight, its sphere of influence is huge, considering it's a local charity.

"Abbie's Sparkle support children affected by cancer throughout the UK and their work is quite simply life changing for many."

The rugby team have so far raised £600 from online pledges and are keen to hit their £3000 target by the weekend of the record attempt.

The challenge begins next Saturday at the airbase, with 28 people taking part in the game itself and many others assisting the effort by carrying out roles such as witnesses, physios and people doing food runs.

The game itself follows official touch rugby rules and is six per side with eight rolling substitutes.

"There is huge confidence that we can beat the record," Mr Williams added.

"Don't get me wrong it's going to be a huge challenge. It's difficult enough to stay awake for 34 hours, let alone play a game of touch rugby for that time.

"However I am really confident that the boys will dig deep and pull it off. We've put a great team together and are motivated to pull it off for the Abbie's Sparkle Foundation, we don't want to let them down.

"Plus there's also the bonus of being a world record holder at the end."