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Thousands raised in memory of rugby campaigner

Bea Swallow
BBC News, West of England
Handout A selfie of Tom Morris wearing a black hoodie and black rectangular glasses. He is standing on sand dunes at sunset, smiling at the camera. In the distance you can see the beach and the sea.Handout
An avid Gloucester Rugby fan, Tom Morris worked to improve safety in the sport

A bike ride held in honour of a rugby campaigner who fought to make the sport safer has raised more than £6,000 for charity.

Tom Morris died aged 46 last year, just weeks after being diagnosed with brain cancer.

Mr Morris, who is from Cheltenham but lived in Bristol for many years, worked for Progressive Rugby, an advocacy group committed to improving player welfare by reducing the risk of concussions and brain trauma.

Retired orthopaedic surgeon Professor John Fairclough, a fellow member of Progressive Rugby, said: "It's terribly important that we recognise the impact that Tom made."

The money raised from the bike ride will be split between Head for Change, which supports ex-players with neurodegenerative diseases, and St Peter's Hospice in Bristol, which cared for Mr Morris in his final days.

Four men wearing black leggings and matching blue athletic shirts, sunglasses and bike helmets. They are standing in front of Gloucester Rugby Club, posing with their bikes.
A group of cyclists set off from Gloucester Rugby Club for the charity ride

The cyclists started their ride at Gloucester Rugby Club and made their way to Cardiff.

Former Welsh international Ian Gough, who took part in the cycle, has been part of Progressive Rugby since its inception.

He told the BBC the organisation's aim was to make sure the game was "as safe as it possibly can be".

"We don't want to take out the contact or what makes rugby great, but it's about making it safe so everyone can enjoy it," he added.

Tom Morris (middle), surrounded by two friends posing with a bike. All are smiling at the camera and the photo is in black and white, taken on a sunny day.
Friends of Mr Morris (centre) raised money for the hospice that cared for him

Of the cycling challenge, Mr Gough said: "If anyone wants to come out and push me up any hills or install a battery in my bike, I'm down.

"That's what rugby is like, when you're going through a bit of a dark place you've got your mates around to help and give you a little push.

"When you feel a bit better further on down the track, you can reciprocate that."

Prof John Fairclough pictured outside Gloucester's stadium. He is wearing a black coat, a black fleece, and a grey scarf, and has grey hair and eyebrows.
Professor John Fairclough said Tom Morris had left an "incredible" legacy

Professor Fairclough, who was involved in the development of sports medicine and research in Wales, said: "[Mr Morris] brought together a group of people who were involved in concussions in sport, and injuries in sport, which produce long-term problems.

"The most important thing that Tom did was leave a legacy. It's incredible that after five years he managed to generate such a following of people who wanted to support what he had, which was the wish to carry on.

"To not stop rugby, which was his passion, but rather to make rugby the game that we all love, but to recognise there are dangers.

"The legacy of Tom is the fact that we're all here today, all supporting people in the cycle race."

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