Six members of Streatham-Croydon RFC men’s 1st XV are cycling 170 miles from their Thornton Heath club house to Paris to raise £2,000 for the Matt Hampson Foundation. 

They are aiming to complete this challenge in three days, taking them through Newhaven, Dieppe, Beauvais and finally finishing at the Arc de Triomphe, dans le Paris, writes Millie Ross.

Playing a tough competitive sport such as rugby, they have all been fortunate to avoid any particularly serious injuries. However, there are those whose lives are changed dramatically by incidents which can happen in the blink of an eye. 

The Matt Hampson Foundation works to provide advice, support, relief and or treatment for anyone suffering serious injury or disability which has arisen from any cause, but in particular from participation in or training for any sport, sporting activity or other form of physical education or recreation. 

They assist individuals by offering direct grants or by paying into existing and future funds to assist with equipment, technology or just every day expenses. These activities are incredibly important for those who have had experienced life altering injuries or disabilities arising from sport. If you are interested in sponsoring these voyageurs then please go to @SCRFC on Facebook for the link.

•Streatham-Croydon RFC have had an excellent early summer off season and the senior squads are now back into their fully fledged pre-season training schedule. The men are training on Tooting Bec Common on Tuesday evenings and at the club on Thursdays and the ladies are on Streatham Common Tuesday and Thursday evenings until August, when both teams will return to the club. Both have had good success at 7s tournaments including the men’s team winning our own Streatham-Croydon Carnival 7s and the ladies winning the plate at Haringey 7s. The new season looms in September and both teams are recruiting hard for new players. You don’t need to have any specific fitness level or experience to join and we welcome all abilities and ages. 

•On Tuesday August 6 Streatham-Croydon men’s team will be hosting Long Beach State, California, USA, kicking off at 7.15pm at their  Frant Road ground. Would be great to see a strong supporting crowd.