JEREMY Guscott's athleticism has decorated the world's premier rugby union venues during a career which has embraced every level of representative recognition, but in a project aimed at raising money for the Leukaemia Research Fund, the British Lion has embarked on an 800-mile, 29-day trek around the country which will test his physical and mental durability more searchingly than any of his appearances on the international rugby stage.

His route of his Tetley's Trek is shaped by the challenge of visiting every Premiership ground in England. He launched his marathon from Bath last Friday and over the next couple of days his itinerary will bring him through the Yorkshire Dales.

Today he reaches one of his landmarks at Sale Sharks and if one of the most celebrated pairs of legs in the rugby business are still functioning efficiently, he will have an overnight stop just south of Burnley before heading for Wharfedale RFC on Sunday on the next leg of his journey.

He is scheduled to arrive at The Avenue around 3.30pm on Sunday, where he will be greeted by a junior section 'bash' aimed at ensuring a hearty welcome and a substantial boost to his coffers.

Wharfedale Under 17s will provide the pre-Guscott rugby thrills with a curtain-raiser against Kirkby Lonsdale and all being well, there may be a barbecued sausage and other sustenance from the grill to sustain the celebrity and well-wishers supporting the event.

The club's juniors were out in force for the recent Esher game with buckets rattling vigorously for a good cause and the Greens are hoping that the arrival of Guscott and his entourage will bring another significant slice of financial support.

The pre-walk target is to raise at least £250,000 for the Leukaemia Research Fund and with over £60,000 of that figure safely banked before his first footfall, it will be a surprise if his daunting journey does not far exceed that amount.

In an era when avarice is more usually the name of the game with which Premiership clubs are most readily associated, it is very reassuring to see a celebrity from the elite end of rugby affairs taking time out to support such an important charity.

By way of support, then, all we can do is urge people to give as generously as they are able as his caravan passes through.