SPORTING stars and community stalwarts have backed a unique fundraising initiative in aid of Cotswolds charity Kate's Home Nursing.

Stow-on-the-Wold and District Rugby Club has launched its #CarryMeHomeKate campaign, which challenges members of the public to pass a giant rugby ball in as many fun and inventive ways as possible.

Under-20s World Cup winner Elliott Stooke returned to the club which coached him as a lad for the launch event, alongside ex-Stow player Adam Henson, television presenter on BBC's Countryfile, and his Gloucester Rugby team-mates and a host of local community leaders and supporters.

The unconventional fundraising scheme is urging people to come up with madcap ways to pass the iconic, oversized rugby ball and raise vital funds from participants and onlookers in the process.

And the cash collected will help Kate's Home Nursing reach the annual £250,000 target it needs to continue caring for those with terminal illnesses in their own homes.

Sean Clarke, campaign chairman, said: “We want wild and wacky ideas which involve as many different people as possible.

"It can be any individual or club from beekeepers to wine drinkers; groups from mums and toddlers to old people’s homes; and public bodies such as firefighters or council workers.

“Initially I thought let’s see if we can beat the Guinness World Record for passing a rugby ball, which is 297 continuous times.

"But there were so many rules, such as the ball having to be passed backwards or sideways in line and over 5m distance, that it lost its fun element.

“So we’ve decided to make up our own rules, being as imaginative as possible, and set our own record.”

He added that Kate's Home Nursing, which provided palliative care to his father in the six weeks before he died in 1998, offers a "safety net and warm embrace" to families and does "wonderful work" ensuring "loved-ones get the best care".

Current wacky passes of the specially made Gilbert Rugby ball have included giant diggers daringly passing it at Cotswold Hill Stone and Masonry, Stow Mayor Mike Curtis throwing it to shopkeepers at the Stow Cotswold Festival and Sheila Price’s ballerinas daintily exchanging it at Bourton Leisure Centre.

Videos of each new pass will be uploaded to facebook.com/CarryMeHomeKate and counted before the final total is revealed at Stow RFC’s family fun day on Sunday, September 6.

The well-travelled ball, signed by celebrities along the way, will also be auctioned at a special Stow RFC event on Friday, September 18.

To donate or buy a wristband visit justgiving.com/carrymehomekate or text RUGB50 followed by £1, £2, £5 or £10 to 70070.

To watch the ball’s progress visit facebook.com/CarryMeHomeKate