Fordingbridge Rugby Club

On Sunday 13th May 2012 Paul O’Connell, Chris Langford, Nigel Lunt will be embarking on the inaugural “O’Connell Challenge” in memory of Tony and Amy O’Connell.

The “challenge” will be a cycle from Lands End to John-O-Groats in 8 days –Paul, Chris and Nigel will be individually cycling every metre of the 960.05 miles (or 1,545 KM’s). Our back up support team will be Christine and Louise O’Connell.

This trip is fully self funded and 100% of every penny raised will be donated to the British Heart Foundation and the Epilepsy Society.

We appreciate that there are lots of charities and sponsored events throughout the year, however Paul, Chris and Nigel would very much appreciate your financial support. Tony was President and a founder member of Fordingbridge Rugby Club and as such holds a very special place in all of our hearts. Not only did the O’Connell family have the tragedy of Tony’s untimely death to deal with but a year later Tony and Christine’s daughter Amy also sadly passed away.

Press Release - January 2012

Leading members of Fordingbridge Rugby Club have launched two major endurance fund-raising events. The first is aimed at setting what might well become a Guinness World record for a non-stop run over the weekend of Feb24-26, and the second is the O’Connell Challenge, a near 1000-mile cycle ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats from May 13-20.

Former club captain, Chris Langford, is spearheading the O’Connell Challenge along with club stalwart Nigel Lunt and Paul O’Connell, son of the former much-loved club president and founder , Tony, who died two years ago.

The three cyclists plan to be in the saddle for around 9/10 hours of the eight days pedaling every inch of their 960-mile route from Land’s End to John O’Groats. The objective is to raise money for the British Heart Foundation, and the Epilepsy Society in memory of Amy, Tony’s daughter, who sadly also passed away a year after her father.
An O’Connell Memorial Challenge Rugby match, as well as an “Auction of Promises” are scheduled for Saturday March 17, quite a day for the Fordingbridge Club as it is the afternoon of the Hampshire Bowl semi-final against Ellingham & Ringwood.

Chris, Paul and Nigel have set up “Just Giving” sites for donations and for further information Chris can be reached by e-mail at langford714@btinternet.com or on 07957 936902.


Please dig deep and pledge your sponsorship – Every penny raised will help raise funds towards these very special causes in memory of 2 very special people.

We will be setting up a Simply Giving Page in due course, however to start the ball rolling you can either hand over cash or pledge donations to:

Paul: 077895 40846 email: paul.O’Connell@nuffieldhealth.com
Chris: 07957 936902 email: Christopher.langford@hsbc.com or langford714@btinternet.com
Nigel: 07831 101882 email: nigel.lunt@southcoastconst.com