Tough going ... call the Blues!

By David Watters

Leiston's stars are gearing up to more than make good on their Ryman Premier club's vow to carry on supporting a group of local children's hospices.

After making an inspirational visit to see the work of the East Anglia Children’s Hospices (EACH) earlier in the season and handing over a £650 donation to the charity's Treehouse centre in Ipswich, pictured, 12 members of the Blues squad are now in training for the 12k Nuclear Rush Challenge in May 2016.

Attacking midfielder Gareth Heath suggested entering 'Team Leiston' in the gruelling event in which contestants must overcome awesome man-made and natural obstacles on runs from as little as 5k all the way up to 42k!

Heath is captaining 'Team Leiston' which will be made up of players Tom Bullard, Joe Jefford, Joe Francis, Alex Rossis, Danny Cunningham, Patrick Brothers, John Sands, Christy Finch, Leon Ottley-Gooch, Blake Saker and Stuart Boardley

EACH's Gemma Smith collects her cheque from the Blues and the LTAA

EACH's Gemma Smith collects her cheque from the Blues and the LTAA

Blues general manager Peter Douglass and his daughter Jen, already a veteran of the Tough Mudder challenges, have also been persuaded to take part to boost the club's fundraising efforts.

A 'Team Leiston' online donation page has now been set up and Blues spokesman Dave Rees is urging fans to back them over the coming weeks and months as they get down to serious training.

Rees said: "Team Leiston are now looking to friends, families and supporters to sponsor them ahead of the May 2016 date. This really is a huge commitment from the team for a very worthwhile cause so please support and encourage where possible.

"We will be keeping everyone up to date on their progress with training throughout the season and Peter Douglass is already out running three times a week before the required upper body strength work - those obstacles will take some getting over!"

The Blues teamed up with the Leiston Town Athletic Association for the second year running to support EACH this season, the two clubs hosting a wide variety of fundraising activities over the last 12 months including ‘horse auctions’ at race nights and an inaugural Leiston Ladies Charity Night.

For more information and to donate visit: www.justgiving.com/leiston-fc-for-each.

Image courtesy of www.toughmudder.co.uk

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Tuesday's Ryman Premier action review Dulwich Hamlet comfortably completed the `double` over Merstham on Tuesday night to lead the Ryman League's Premier Division table by two points, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

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