RUGBY players, policemen, sailors and skydivers are uniting to launch this year's Prospect Hospice Challenge Appeal.

Sponsored by Nationwide, the campaign asks people to set themselves a challenge to raise money for the Wroughton based hospice.

All adults who have already signed up for a challenge are taking part in a tug of war against Wroughton Infants School to launch the appeal.

A team of policemen from RAF Lyneham, members of Cricklade Rugby Club, walkers, runners, sailors and swimmers will be pitting them- selves against the infant school children on April 8.

Prospect aims to raise £30,000 which will enable the hospice to refurbish the facilities of its inpatients unit.

A challenge can be anything from taking part in a skydive - like Nationwide team - to sitting in a bath of beans like students from Swindon College.

Other popular choices are marathon running, long distance hiking, learning a foreign language or even being quiet for two hours.

Anybody interested in taking part in Challenge 2003 is asked to contact Gillian Richardson on Swindon 815142 or at grichardson@prospect-hospice.org.uk.