News & Features International Scotland Men

40tude: Townsend and Nicol become charity ambassadors

20 Feb 2023

Gregor Townsend and Andy Nicol have been named as official Ambassadors for the cancer charity 40tude in memory of their former international teammate Tom Smith, who passed away in April 2022 from bowel cancer.

23/8/03 - Scotland V Italy - Murrayfield Rugby Friendly Scotland's Tom Smith takes on Italy's Santiago Dellape (left) Pic Nick Ponty

The former Scotland internationals, who both represented the country alongside Tom, will help promote the importance of screening for bowel cancer, in order to continue the work done by Tom, who was an active Ambassador of 40tude in the years before his passing.

The charity, which formed in 2011, has to date raised more than £2.2million to support cancer research.

As part of their new ambassadorial roles, Gregor and Andy are helping to organise a special 40tude challenge in 2024, to take place around Bordeaux where Tom lived and where his family still live.

Gregor and Andy will both be regularly visiting St Mark’s Hospital, the National Bowel Hospital, in North West London to meet the leading medics and clinical research fellows in this cancer specialism, and to follow the progress of the research projects being funded by 40tude.

Scotland head coach, Gregor Townsend, said: “It’s a great honour to take on the role of ambassador for 40tude and I look forward to teaming up with Andy. It’s a huge privilege to be carrying on the work of Tom Smith, who was supremely brave and talented in equal measure both on and off the rugby pitch.

“40tude have a unique approach to bowel cancer, which is based on real challenges, real projects, real results. Those involved know that their donations will deliver concrete results. This is a role and responsibility I’m very proud to undertake.”

Andy Nicol added: “I am proud to be an Ambassador for 40tude to continue the memory of my friend and former teammate Tom Smith. I love how people get so connected with 40tude, whether it is the physical challenges they do or just fundraising and it is because everything 40tude does makes a tangible difference: real challenges, real projects, real results!”

Gordon Moore, Chair of trustees of 40tude, said: “We are thrilled that Andy and Gregor have decided to honour the legacy of our former Ambassador, Tom Smith.”