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Five Saracens players have taken their Premiership trophy on a climb to raise thousands of pounds for an elephant charity
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Mike Ellery, Rhys Gill, Jim Hamilton, Nils Mordt, and Ben Ransom, set off on the 50km hike on Tuesday
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The event was backed by the Evening Standard, who are patrons of the charity
Five Saracens stars are taking on the epic climb of Mount Kenya, carrying the Aviva Premiership trophy, as they raise money for an Elephant Conservation Charity.
Mike Ellery, Rhys Gill, Jim Hamilton, Nils Mordt, and Ben Ransom, set off playing matches en route. On Saturday they are due to reach the 5,199m summit of Africa’s second-highest mountain.
Namibia-born Saracens flanker Jacques Burger, who was to join the climb but has an injury, said: “I am hoping the challenge will make a massive difference for Space for Giants.
“I didn’t know much about the elephant poaching crisis but the figures are shocking. Something has to be done to help these creatures and, being African, this is a cause close to my heart.”
Max Graham, chief executive of Space for Giants, said: “We need key influencers, such as these world-class rugby players, to see what we are doing and why, and then to spread the word about what they’ve learned to their followers.
“We are incredibly grateful to Saracens and the players for their support.”
It is estimated just 400,000 elephants remain in Africa, with 100,000 killed by poachers between 2010 to 2012 .