Melrose RFC, known worldwide as the home of the Sevens, is to support the Hearts & Heroes Challenge, with a number of initiatives planned to mark the Club’s respect for the bravery and sacrifice of Service personnel.

The 127th staging of the Mathon Melrose Sevens (9th-10th April) will also see an Army team entered into the main competition, with a range of fundraising events also planned.

There is also a special limited-edition strip, which will also be available to the general public on a first-come basis – with the Club making a donation to Poppyscotland for each jersey sold.

Club President Mike Dalgetty said that: “Everyone is immensely proud of the young men and women who are bravely serving their country and as a Club we wanted to do something to show our support.”

To find out more visit www.melrose7s.com

Scotland club international players, John Dalziel and Scott Wight, both from Melrose, join Lance Corporal Graeme Tait from 1 SCOTS and Private Niall Cameron from 6 SCOTS at Netherdale, Galashiels, to promote the Hearts & Heroes Challenge, which takes place in the picturesque Borders.

If you were at the Glasgow vs Edinburgh 1872 Cup rugby games over the Christmas period, you might have seen us there, giving out information to fans.  We were also at the South of Scotland vs Northumbria game in the Borders.  There was a great deal of interest from everyone at all of those venues, so if you’re planning to take part, get registered soon!

In May 2009 nearly 600 people took to the hills of the Scottish Borders for the inaugural Hearts and Heroes Challenge.  This event started just as a dream.  Now, with the dream wonderfully realised, The Hearts and Heroes Challenge has become an established event, which will surely go from strength to strength.  I wish to thank everyone from suppliers, to sponsors, to the supporting charities and to all of those participants – private individuals, corporates, rugby clubs and military units - who entered their teams in 2009 to make the event the huge fun and brilliant fundraising occasion it was.  You have all made it your event in the hardest of economic conditions.   I know you will look after it well.

I have retired as the Chief Executive of The Sportsman’s Charity, and The Sportsman's Charity has passed the Challenge on, into the capable hands of Poppyscotland, who, with Hearts & Balls as their co-benefiting charity, will organise and raise funds in 2010 for the same community-based military and rugby causes.