RUGBY star Gareth Thomas has cycled through Warrington as part of his 500-mile journey in aid of Sport Relief.

The former Welsh and British Lions rugby captain is not only raising money for the charity, but will carry the BBC Sport Personality of the Year trophy from Cardiff to Aberdeen in time for the live awards ceremony on Sunday.

Gareth's Tour De Trophy began on Monday in Wales and he reached Warrington last night, Tuesday.

Speaking about his journey through the town, Gareth reminisced on the time he had spent playing at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Warrington Guardian:

He said: "It was pretty difficult weather coming into Warrington.

"I know Warrington quite well and I have a lot of friends here.

"It was the first place after Cardiff that I had a connection to, coming past the stadium.

"We've got a difficult leg to go- every day there comes a point where you start to feel tired but then you come across a person who benefits from Sport Relief and it gets you through the rest of the day, and then the next.

"You realise then why it's so important to get to the end of the day."

During the gruelling challenge, Gareth has been switching between a solo bike and a Quattrocycle four-person pedal bike.

While raising money, Gareth's aim is to combat the stigma surrounding mental health, homelessness and the LGBTQ+ community, as well as learning about how Sport Relief helps victims of domestic abuse and other vulnerable people.

Gareth continued: "I am a person who understands the power of sport and the importance it has to people.

"I wanted be able to do something for Sport Relief and give people a platform.

"It was so important in this journey to try and confront stigma and get people talking so people can understand it and have empathy with it.

"Every penny that you give is going to something which may not affect people individually, but it may affect a family member or a close friend."

To follow Gareth's efforts, visit www.bbc.co.uk/events.