Ex-Bristol rugby stars get their boots on for Remembrance Day charity match

Former Bristol rugby stars are taking to the pitch this weekend along with ex-servicemen to raise money for charity.

The match has been arranged by Matthew James, 36, who is a former member of the Gloucestershire Regiment but now suffers with Multiple Sclerosis.

Mr James, who grew up in Southmead, has organised the game, which will be played on Remembrance Sunday, to raise money for an MS therapy centre, the national Poppy Appeal of the Royal British Legion and Help for Heroes.

The event has attracted names including ex-Bristol prop Steve Sugar and scrum half Julian Davies as well as many former servicemen from all three armed forces.

The Bristol team will take on a side from Gloucester at Newlands Park, Bishop's Cleeve, near Cheltenham.

Mr James, who was diagnosed with MS two-and-a-half years ago, will kick the ball off at the beginning of the game.

He said: "It's for charities that are very close to me with my armed forces background and what I have in front of me."

Mr James was in the Glosters for six years, seeing active service in Bosnia and also completing army exercises in Kuwait and Botswana.

Seven years after leaving the Army he had an MRI scan after experiencing balance problems and was told he had MS.

He said: "My memory isn't great and I have lost my balance so I have gone from marching wherever I was told, to getting by on a walking stick. It's a change of lifestyle from being reasonably fit to being in the state I am in at the moment."

He is organising the match with the help of friend and former soldier Lee Holder, 37, who is also from Warden Hill.

It is free to get into the event which starts at 3pm.

Money will be raised through donations.

Nick Betty, from Southmead, who is captaining the Bristol team, said: "What Matthew has done is amazing. He may be different physically but he has such a strong character and he is the same man he always was."

A Help for Heroes Calendar featuring players will be on sale on the day and a Premiership rugby player is also due to make an appearance.

Commemorative rugby shirts can be bought on the day or beforehand by going to www.crouchandhold.com.

Mr James has designed a badge for the day, of which he is hoping to sell 1,000.

They are available to buy at www.realaleheaven.com.