WELSH rugby international Ellis Jenkins has come up with a challenge that will raise funds for a Cardiff charity, providing fun and fitness to the sporting public whilst possibly driving them nuts!

The Cardiff Blues flanker is an ambassador for City Hospice, the only provider of home-based specialist palliative care in the capital. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, all of the charity’s fundraising events have been cancelled, leading Ellis to come up with the idea of the 2020 Keep Up Challenge.

Whereas almost everyone has tried doing keepie-uppies with a football, few have ever tried doing it with a rugby ball. Ellis did, creating the 2020 Keep Up Challenge in which participants are nominated to attempt at least 20 keepie-uppies with a rugby ball.

The @CityHospice #2020KeepUpChallenge

1. Do as many keep ups as you can (aim for 20)
2. Donate via the link in my bio
3. Tag 3 friends to do the same

I nominate @Jnavidi @dillon3_ @rhys_patch @GethincJones and everyone at home.

Don’t have a rugby ball? Be creative! pic.twitter.com/yVIsqijUuo

— Ellis Jenkins (@EllisJenkins_) June 5, 2020

Ellis said: “It’s not easy. In fact, it’s quite difficult, but that’s the point. I’ve challenged my team-mates Josh Navidi, Rhys Patchell, Dillon Lewis and Gethin Jones to do it. Let’s see how many they can do!”

Shortly after Ellis posted his video, Dillion Lewis, Cardiff Blues player responded in kind with his video, much to the amusement of rugby fans on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/dillon3_/status/1268896984146096130

Dillion has now challenged teammate Jarrod Evans, Ospey’s Owen Watkin and Dragons Rugby player Elliot Dee. Dillion has also challenged Cardiff City FC footballer Callum Paterson to the challenge too. Hopefully we will all get to see Callum’s handy footwork with a rugby ball… could a career change be in order?

Jenkins would also like to challenge members of the public to have a go at this challenge and donate to the charity. A donation of £20 pays for an hour of nursing care. Every donation, no matter how large or small, adds up, helping the charity care for the people of Cardiff facing terminal illness.

Ellis added: “We’re going to give a few prizes away, such as a signed Welsh team rugby ball to the person who does the most. We’ll also give a prize for the best piece of skill demonstrated and even a prize to the best fancy dressed. Youngsters might want to use a football or even a balloon.

“Have a go, donate to City Hospice and challenge three of your friends to do the same.”

To support the 2020 Keep Up Challenge, supporters can film their attempts, post on social media and challenge three friends to do the same. Participants are encouraged to tag @EllisJenkins_ and @cityhospice in their tweets and use the hashtag #2020KeepUpChallenge.

Donations can be made to Ellis Jenkins’ Keep Up Challenge page on JustGiving.