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richmondcahulogan

RUGBY players will be tackling a challenge of a different kind when they take on the Killer Mile for charity.

Twelve teammates from Trentham Rugby Club will line up on Thursday in the one-mile race up a one-in-three gradient course at Mow Cop.

Money raised from their efforts will help Stoke-based Caudwell Children.

Winger Ben Melville, aged 24, of Stallington Road, Blythe Bridge, said: "I'm interested in helping a local charity and the Killer Mile will really exert us. We're all fit lads, but it's going to be a bit different."

He added: "I really like Caudwell Children and a few of my friends work there, so I've heard a lot about it."

Ben, a former Blythe Bridge High School pupil, rejoined the rugby club about a year ago.

The self-employed aircraft technician, who left the Royal Air Force in 2008, has been running about three miles up and down hills as part of his training.

He has also been doing sprints up a steep hill near his girlfriend's house in Stockton Brook.

And he believes the race will bring out the competitive side in him and his teammates.

"I hear horror stories about the race. I'm not sure about a 'good' time, but I'm going to try and do it before the rest. I hope I can.

"There are a few lads who are keen runners. I'm not, but I'm sure we'll all enjoy it."

Teammate Aaron Barker, from Hilderstone Road, Meir Heath, has been involved with the club since he was six.

Aaron, 24 and a paralegal and trainee solicitor at Rees Jones in Hanley when he's not scrum-half, said: "I've been rugby training and I have been going out for a jog. There's a 25 per cent incline at Mow Cop but I'm up for it. It should be fun."

The brief but brutal race starts with a gradient of one in five for a quarter of a mile up to Birch Tree Lane, then there's a steady climb up to the three-quarter of a mile mark, when the hill becomes one in four.

Spurring on the players will be the thought of helping Caudwell Children. Ben added: "The Killer Mile will push us to the limit but we know every step will be worth it."

Trudi Beswick, who is chief executive of Caudwell Children, said: "This is not a challenge for the faint-hearted and we know the players at Trentham Rugby Club are really keen to do their very best for the charity and make a difference.

"We're thrilled that they've chosen to support us and we hope they reach their fund-raising goal, and the top of the hill."

The team includes Joshua Collins, Kev McDonald, Ashley Taylor, James Gibson, Tim Cooper, John Street, Duncan Reed, Simon Barlow, Ben Trickett, Jason Bromley and one of the player's girlfriends, Kelly Edwards. They hope to raise �750.