BIG-hearted Dolgellau footballers are going to great lengths to raise money for the health service – having set out to cover the distance to Rome where Wales had been due to play their Euro 2020 match against Italy this week!

Players and managers of Dolgellau Athletic AFC are raising money for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and Dolgellau Hospital League of Friends by ‘virtually’ completing the 1,384 miles to Rome on foot or on exercise bike.

“We have decided to show our gratitude and appreciation to these heroes who battle adversity each day,” they said in a Facebook post.

“Today (21 June) was meant to be Wales v Italy in the Euro 2020 competition. Therefore, we thought it was an appropriate target for us to travel to Rome!

“The total miles is 1,384 and as the players will be clocking up the miles, we kindly ask for donations that will make sure all the amazing people of these wonderful organisations know exactly how much they mean to us all.

“They put the safety and well-being of all of us in front of their own, working round the clock to ensure they do the best they possibly can for those under their care.

“The money raised will be split evenly between the two organisations. We look forward to posting our progress.”

Assistant manager Owain Williams told the Cambrian News the Dolgellau squad, consisting of first team and reserve team players, completed over 120 miles of their challenge in the first couple of days.

“Between 25-30 of the boys who are taking part have been given the choice of clocking up the miles by running or using an exercise bike,” he said. “We hope to complete the distance in two to four weeks. Myself and club captain John Sutton came up with the fund-raising idea, but Dafydd Jones also warrants a mention as he’s our mathematician who’s been calculating the distance we have to travel.”

You can sponsor any player directly or donate via the club’s Just Giving page https://gf.me/u/yabsdj