A team of cyclists rode over 1000 miles in the first fundraising event for Chipping Sodbury Rugby club’s planned disabled access.

The club are raising money to install a disabled access from the car park and clubhouse, down either side of the first teams rugby pitch, after veteran player and avid supporter, Lloyd Williams, was left paralysed following a motorcycle accident in August.

Needing to raise over £6000 for the works, Lloyds son, Ed, said he was thrilled to have hit the halfway mark on their JustGiving page, with donations of sponsorship for the ride topping a third of the funds.

With the grassroots rugby season put back until January 2021, Ed thinks there is optimum time to raise the rest of the funds and complete the work in time for the first match, with hopes that his father will be well enough to support his club, pitch-side.

Ed said: “My dad has moved to regional spinal unit in to begin his rehabilitation.

“Typically, this takes between 3 and 9 months, he is currently working on increasing his lung capacity and upper body strength before moving on to using a wheelchair.

“We are hoping he fights through to make it to the first game at Sodbury”

The team started their cycle at 7am on Sunday morning, cycling to the Cherry and Whites at Gloucester, to The Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate, and then across to the Rec in Bath, ending back at Sodbury’s home ground, the Ridings.

Lorraine Palmer who took on the ultra-distance with her children and husband said: “It was a fabulous ride for a great cause.

“The weather has been glorious, god was on our side today. We are so pleased to be able to have done this for Lloyd."

The team have plans for further fundraising events including a series of raffles for Rugby shirts of famous players.

Wife, Cath Williams, commended the effort, saying how overwhelmed she and her husband, Lloyd, are with the effort of the rugby club and local community to come together fro the cause. “It’s keeping him positive” she added.

Chipping Sodbury Town trust agreed to the proposal of the installation. The trust will subsidise the works by installing one full side themselves.