A former soldier from Beccles will be taking part in a world record attempt to raise money for a military charity.

Leigh Gedney will be one of 22 men representing charity Scotty’s Little Soldiers as they try to break the world record for the longest rugby match next Saturday and Sunday.

Mr Gedney, who recently left the army after seven years of service, has helped out the charity - which supports children of men and women killed whilst serving in the British Armed Forces- for the past year.

He said: “I choose to support Scotty’s Little Soldiers as after serving many years in the army as an infantry soldier I have seen how devastating it is for children and loved ones to loose their parent and partner during service.”

The match will be played against a team representing the charity School of Hard Knocks at the training ground of the rugby union team London Irish.

“It will be the same as a normal rugby match but there will be seven substitutes to rotate,” said the 29-year-old. “The current record is 26 hours and we’re trying to do 30 hours.

“We’ll be playing for four to five hours and then will have and hour-and-a-half off.”

The keen rugby player, who has been a member of Beccles Rugby Club for many years, is hoping to raise £1,000 for the charity.

He said: “The fundraising is going well so far. Every player is asked by the charity to raise £1,000 so we can raise at least £22,000.

“A team from the charity set the record three years ago but it was broken last year by 40 minutes. So we’ve chosen to set it at 30 hours so it can’t be beaten so easily.”

Mr Gedney, who is studying to be a personal trainer, is hoping his foot will not give him any trouble after he injured it last year.

He said: “Hopefully my foot will be fine. I broke it in October but the metal plates should hold up. I’m looking forward to it.”

To sponsor Leigh, visit https://gwr-scottyslittlesoldiers.everydayhero.com/uk/leigh-gedney

Are you taking part in a fundraising challenge? Email rebecca.murphy@archant.co.uk or call Rebecca on 01502 715674.