Rankin prepares for cycling challenge to help rugby family

Scottish Rugby Past President Ian Rankin is preparing for a gruelling combined 148 miles of cycling to help the wider rugby family.  Rankin, President in 2014-15, former Caledonia forward and head coach at, in Dundee HSFP, and forwards coach and manager at Edinburgh Rugby, in addition to management roles with Scotland A and the Scotland Club International side, is cycling two closed road events – the 66 miles Loch Ness Etape next Saturday (22 April) and 82 miles Etape Caledonia on 21 May – to raise funds for the Murrayfield Injured Players Foundation.The Foundation (MIPF) is Scottish Rugby’s own charity. It was set-up during the Union’s centenary season to help injured Scottish rugby players.Rankin is now the Foundation’s chairman and his role has prompted his decision to take to the saddle.He explained: “I am chair of the Murrayfield Injured Players’ Foundation, which supports amateur rugby players, male and female, who are suffering any financial hardship due to an injury playing rugby.The concept of helping your own, and the difference I have seen it make to so many players over the years, has been a humbling experience and one that is a massive privilege to be involved with.”Fund-raising is obviously an important part of our work and hopefully you will feel that this is a worthwhile cause, which will be tough, but, as you can imagine, worth every drop of sweat.”He has set up a just giving page and you can make donations here: http://www.justgiving.com/owner-email/pleasesponsor/Ian-Rankin4