THEY have been brought together by a common interest in two subjects very close to their hearts.
An Edinburgh-based rugby team has recruited players touched by cancer from across the globe and is now ready to tour the world to help raise money to fight the disease.
The Crusaders, who will make their debut in a tournament for veteran players
next month in the Capital, have a pool of 50 enthusiasts and are already entertaining invitations from Japan and the Czech Republic.
On top of the Scottish core of players, participants who have either lost loved ones to cancer or have recovered from the disease themselves have flocked from as far as the US, Canada and South Africa to be part of the project.
The scheme is the brainchild of 47-year-old John Munro, who lost his wife Debbie to bowel cancer in 2005 and has spent a significant amount of time working for Cancer Research UK in the Capital.
He gave up rugby to care for his sick wife when the illness intensified and lost contact with a sport he had spent his life playing.
However, her death gave him the determination to raise awareness and cash for Cancer Research UK.
Mr Munro, who now lives in Hampshire, said: "I saw it as a chance to get involved in the sport again and raise money for a really great cause and Edinburgh seemed like a natural base for it.
"When Debbie died from cancer my friends and my rugby team were a tremendous support. It's amazing what the rugby community is like at times like those, I was getting messages of support from around the world.
"I thought about it, and in April this year began sending a few e-mails out and it grew from there.
"Now we have a pool of around 50 players from all over. The nature of going on tour means everyone has to fund it from their own pocket and because of work commitments not everyone can make it all the time.
"But it ensures we can always call on 15 to 20 guys to join up with us, we've already had e-mails from teams in the Czech Republic who want to hear from us and even in Japan as well.
"I chose Cancer Research UK because they put the money you raise to really good use."
The Crusaders' first challenge will take place closer to home when the team enters the Golden Oldies World Rugby Festival in Edinburgh from September 1-8.
The team have been given kilts with their own registered tartan to wear at events, along with specially-designed pink scrum hats to promote the cancer cause.
At yesterday's launch at Murrayfield they were joined by former Scotland cap Scott Hastings.
He said: "It is a great opportunity for them to realise that through sport they can raise significant funds. It is a marvellous initiative."
They will use the tournament as a benchmark for future events, and it is hoped the team will capture enough of a worldwide appeal to make a significant impact on cancer fundraising.
Linda Hamilton, Cancer Research UK's area volunteer manager, said: "Generous sponsors have provided John's team with rugby kit and prizes for the draw – they have even had their own kilts designed and a unique tartan registered to them.
"Their efforts will help us raise more funds and awareness to help us beat cancer in Scotland."
