BROMSGROVE Rugby Club's 'Around the World in 80 Days' fundraising challenge is going so well they have decided to do it twice.

The Advertiser reported earlier this month that the Finstall Park club was embarking on the 'global' quest to run, cycle, swim or walk a a combined total of 25,000 miles, the Earth's circumference.

Aptly, the Jules Verne novel 'Around the World in 80 Days', telling the tale of Phileas Fogg's attempts to circumnavigate the world was published in 1872 - the same year Bromsgrove RFC was founded.

The club's quest attracted the attention of England head coach Eddie Jones, who offered his support with a personalised video message to the club.

And his encouragement seems to have paid dividends with club members smashing through the 10,000-mile barrier within just 15 days.

As a result of being on course to complete the target within half the time allotted, they have switched the goalposts so to speak and now decided to circumnavigate the globe twice during the 80 days.

Club president Dave Wellington said: "The response from within the club to this initiative has been fantastic.

"We've had an amazing buy-in from members of all sections of the club, players from all sides are taking part as well as friends, family and parents.

"It has really captured the imagination of people within the club and we are well on our way to our original target.

"I know that everyone is keen to keep going for the full 80 days and who knows how many miles we will achieve!"

Donations can be made via www.give.as/brfc - with the total, thus far, having already passed the £1,500 mark.

Money raised from sponsorship will be split between club funds, to help Bromsgrove RFC keep going financially amid the pandemic lockdown, and NHS Charities Together.

Noteworthy individual performances have come from Hugh Lockhart's 128-mile cycle ride and Andreas Antoniou's half marathon exploits.