A MEMBER of England's World Cup winning rugby squad was the special guest at a recent fundraising event.

David Alred, the assistant coach to the England Rugby Union team, attended the fund raising event at Hartham Park near Corsham, in aid of the charity CLIC (Cancer and Leukemia In Children). It was hosted by Mercedes-Benz of Swindon.

Mercedes-Benz customers were invited to the evening event, which involved a presentation by Mr Alred on the processes involved in achieving sporting excellence at the highest international level.

Mr Alred is widely acknowledged as the best kicking coach in the world at present and was able to describe the training techniques which helped England win the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

The highlight of the evening was an auction of an England Rugby World Cup shirt signed by all of the players.