A GROUP of Rhyl and District Rugby Club members will be taking part in a gruelling challenge to raise funds for a special project in memory of one of the club’s greatest ever figures.

Seth Pierce, Gaz Pierce, Phil Bamber, Greg Gibbs, Ste Minshull, Keith Gains and James Alcock will be taking on the daunting Three Peaks Challenge, which will see them attempt to scale Ben Nevis, Scarfell Pike and Snowdon over a 24-hour period during the first weekend in July.

The group are looking to raise £2,000 from the event, which will go towards a special playground at the Dragons’ impressive facility at Ty Newydd Fields in memory of John Hardy.

Mr Hardy is widely regarded as one of the club’s greatest ever players and supporters and suffered a heart attack on New Year’s Eve at the age of 66.

He left behind a lasting legacy throughout the North Wales region from a rugby development perspective, and also a glittering playing career with the Dragons before returning to coach both the senior and junior sides.

Mr Hardy also played a prominent role in the development of RGC 1404 during the initial stages of their development, working closely with the likes of Rupert Moon and Marc Roberts in ensuring a thriving Academy structure was put in place that has played a huge contributing factor in the Gogs’ meteoric rise to the Principality Premiership and an historic WRU National Cup triumph.

The campaign has received considerable support during its initial fundraising efforts, with close friend of Mr Hardy and former Wales international Moon getting behind the drive.

Donations have streamed in so far and the contingent have already surpassed the halfway point of their target.

Anyone wishing to donate can do so by visiting https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/jhardy-rhylrfc-playground.