A FIREFIGHTER from Torfaen will face a gruelling charity challenge later this year as part of a team attempting to play the world’s longest rugby match.

Nathan Davies, aged 26, of the Varteg area, will form part of a world record attempt on behalf of the Firefighters Charity (FFC) in May, with two teams attempting to play for over 30 hours.

The Abersychan-based firefighter and Pontypool RFC player will join the FFC team in a match against Scotty’s Little Soldiers – a charity supporting children who have lost a parent serving in the Armed Forces.

The match will take place at the Worcester Warriors Rugby Club at Sixways Stadium, in Worcester and Mr Davies has already raised £195 towards his £700 fundraising target.

The event will include 46 firefighters from various stations in the FFC team and will run in conjunction with a family fun day, including fire engines, army vehicles and workshops.

A statement by Mr Davies on his JustGiving page said: “If you know who I am, you will know that I am a proud firefighter serving the community of Abersychan and the surrounding areas.

“I have always wanted to get involved in charity work, so what better way than to combine my job and my hobby rugby”.

The father-of-two became involved with the charity rugby match through Facebook to support the “great causes” and has been training non-stop over the past three months.

“I don’t think I realised how much of a big task it was going to be," he said.

"I have been going to the gym and trying to do a lot more running to get myself geared up for it."

“We’re going for the world record attempt and it’s equivalent to running a marathon and a half.”

All funds raised by rugby-playing firefighters will go towards the Firefighters Charity – a organisation that provide rehabilitation and support to injured firefighters.

The charity — which has been established for over 70 years — supports injured firefighters with services ranging from physical treatment such as physiotherapy and nursing to family support and health and wellbeing.

Mr Davies — who joined Pontypool RFC five years ago — thanked people who have donated to his fundraising drive and his two sons Noah, aged two and Frankie aged four, who will be supporting him on his journey.

He added: “It’s going to be a massive event and very difficult on my body and mentally.

“I have to raise £700 and I want to exceed that. The bigger numbers I get from fundraising the more it will spur me on.”

For more information on the event, search ‘Charity World Record Rugby Match’ on Facebook.

To support Nathan, visit his JustGiving page: justgiving.com/fundraising/NathanDavies10.