The 2025 Dallaglio RugbyWorks and British & Irish Lions Trust Ultra Endurance Challenge
As an official charity partner of The British & Irish Lions Trust, Dallaglio RugbyWorks is thrilled to announce an extraordinary fundraising challenge coinciding with the 2025 Lions Tour. The Ultra Endurance Challenge will see Simon Dent, a seasoned ultra-marathon runner, former England rugby league star, Jamie Peacock and fitness professional Todd Liubinskas, running 1,000 kilometres from Brisbane to Sydney to raise funds for Dallaglio RugbyWorks and The British & Irish Lions Trust.
"It’s a huge honour to be fundraising for Dallaglio RugbyWorks and the Lions Trust” said Simon Dent. “The three of us feel 14 ultra marathons in 14 days will be tough, but we are up for the challenge.”
Todd Liubinskas added: “We plan to raise thousands of pounds for DRW and The Lions Trust and shine a light on the important causes these charities support.”
The three runners will be covering a gruelling 70K each day to achieve their goal.
Jamie Peacock said: “ I hope the scale of this challenge will inspire people to give generously and help us reach a significant figure for the charities."
DRW has partnered with creative agency George P. Johnson Australia to maximise the fundraising and PR potential of this gruelling challenge. “DRW has transformed so many lives and the significance of this will be amplified during the Lions Tour down in Australia in 2025” said Christine Mills, Managing Director GPJ.
Lawrence Dallaglio created RugbyWorks to use rugby’s core values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship to equip young people who are excluded from education, with the life skills and attitudes they need to move into sustained Education, Employment or Training after school. He said: “No one should underestimate the magnitude of the challenge Simon, Jamie and Todd are taking on to raise much needed funds for RugbyWorks, I cannot express my admiration and gratitude enough to them.” He went on to say: “Australia is a long way away and I am also grateful to Christine and the GPJ team for their invaluable support on the ground.”
Gavin Hastings, Chairman of The British & Irish Lions Trust added: “The Ultra Endurance Challenge is a significant physical and mental challenge for Simon, Jamie and Todd which will inspire all those who follow their progress. This will coincide with The 2025 British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia, which is fitting given this unique tour is built on the foundations of respect, unity and generosity of spirit. The trio will be raising important funds for both The British & Irish Lions Trust and Dallaglio RugbyWorks and we are so appreciative of their commitment and efforts.”
Supporting Youth Empowerment
During the team’s journey, our dedicated Youth Animators will also be engaging with local communities, collaborating with like-minded individuals on the other side of the world, sharing their personal experiences and the transformative impact of our programme.
A key pillar of our strategy is to actively engage local communities along the route. We aim to form lasting partnerships with local young people, youth organisations, and rugby clubs, leaving a legacy through DRW-style sessions led by our Youth Animators.
Our Animated Youth initiative empowers young people with lived experience of school exclusion to influence policy and represent the views of others. This model of youth and community work is at the forefront in the UK, and their involvement in this journey will further amplify our mission.