The highest ever game of tag rugby is set to be played on Mount Everest next month.

Twenty-two volunteers are planning to stage a match at 17,575 feet at the base camp of the world’s highest mountain as part of an expedition in aid of paralysed rugby players and Show Racism the Red Card.

Aged between 20 and 65, the party, which leaves on May 27 and is due to arrive at the camp on June 6, is made up from across the rugby community in England, including Rugby Football Union staff and club members.

Carmen O’Connor, one of the team members, said: “These are two very worthwhile causes and everyone going is very committed to completing the expedition and raising as much money for them as possible.

“When we get to Base Camp, we will hopefully play the highest game of tag rugby ever and get in the Guinness Book of Records. We hope this will raise the profile of both charities.”

Support Paraplegics In Rugby Enterprise is the official RFU charity that assists players who have suffered permanent total disability through rugby and is currently supporting the needs of around 115 disabled ex-players.

Show Racism the Red Card (SRTRC) is a charity which aims to combat racism through education and the use of professional sportsmen as role models.

Footballers have shown the way by making a stand against racism and now the RFU and players at all levels within the game are actively involved in the campaign – vigorously supporting the aims of SRTRC.

Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/rfu_charitychallenge

Everest team

Rob Andrews     British Army

Mark Bain       Twickenham Experience Ltd

Carol Blythe    Show Racism the Red Card

Clive Cashell   RFU Rugby Development Officer, Hampshire

Don Cowper      Show Racism the Red Card

Hazel Duckworth         Twickenham Experience Ltd

Steve Elliot    RFU IT Department

Brian Graham    Show Racism the Red Card

Becky Horton    Chipping Norton Rugby Football Club

Rob Hunter      Northampton Saints Rugby Football Club

Rajiv Joshi     Charity Challenge Tour Leader

Gareth Lewis    RFU Community Rugby Department

Mike Morris     RFU IT Department

Alan Moses      RFU Rugby Development Officer, Northumberland

Terry Mote      Minehead Rugby Football Club

Sharon Moy-Taylor       Twickenham Experience Ltd

Dominic Oliff   Twickenham Experience Ltd

Carmen O’Connor Sensethesense Complimentary Therapy

Jon Phillips    Bedford Blues Rugby Football Club

John Steele     Northampton Saints Rugby Football Club

George Vaughan  RFU IT Department

Jo Young        Chipping Norton Rugby Football Club