AN entrepreneur from Burford will help set a world record for some of the highest rugby games ever played.

Mark Ackred is set to join 30 other players on Mount Everest in April for the highest altitude games of full-contact rugby and mixed rugby ever.

The world record attempt is in aid of the charity Wooden Spoon, which helps disadvantaged and disabled children through rugby, and preparations ramped up last month with a wet and wild weekend climbing Ben Nevis in Scotland.

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Mr Ackred is driven by the loss of nephew Toti Worboys, 11, to leukaemia.

So, when he climbs to 6,500m to play rugby at Tibetan Advanced Base Camp, the 41-year-old said he would be motivated by Toti’s memory.

He said: “I’ve done some long-distance kayaking in aid of charity but I felt it was time to literally up the ante so that’s why I’m heading to Everest.

“Toti’s brother George plays for Bath – he’s gone from strength to strength and every time he scores a try he makes a T sign for his brother.

“The motivation to do it in his memory is massive. He used to absolutely love rainbows so I’m hoping to see a couple on Mount Everest."

Witney Gazette:

Preparations have taken on a new intensity after the group was subjected to rigorous altitude chamber training last month.

The matches will bid to break the record set by the Steve Prescott Foundation at 5,752 metres up Kilimanjaro in 2015.

Each challenger has been set a funding target of £10,000, to be used by Wooden Spoon to help young people with disabilities and facing disadvantage in the UK and Ireland.

Teams will be captained by rugby stars including Wales’ leading try-scorer Shane Williams, England Women legend Tamara Taylor, 60-cap Test hooker Lee Mears and ex-IRB Sevens World Player of the Year Ollie Phillips.

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Mr Mears was joined by fellow team captain Ollie Phillips, former IRB Sevens World Player of the Year, in the Ben Nevis mountain range for a weekend of Burns night celebrations and snow climbing skills.

Mr Ackred was delighted to reunite with the 26-strong group in the Grampians, but investing in a new pair of hiking boots has become a necessity.

He said: "Ben Nevis is certainly being thrown in at the deep end.

"I've bought some new boots, they seemed OK but it was pretty wet and miserable in Scotland.

"It was the last weekend we'll all be together and it's really important to get the camaraderie together.

"Going up Ben Nevis with ice picks and crampons, it's important to make sure you know you feel in the conditions and also to bond with the group.

"It's going to be an amazing experience but it's also going to be really tough. We're going to need to dig deep and know you've got your mates round you."

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Support us in the LMAX Exchange Everest Rugby Challenge to help change the lives of children and young people with disabilities and facing disadvantage across the UK and Ireland - visit everestrugby.org.uk #everestrugby