Five Bradford Bulls stars are to pull on their trunks and help raise cash by tackling a charity swim.

Heath L’Estrange, Brett Kearney, Adrian Purtell, Elliott Whitehead and Nick Scruton are taking the plunge as part of the national Swimathon campaign to generate funds for the Marie Curie Hospice, which provides care to terminally-ill people in Bradford.

Hooker L’Estrange, who is captain of the Bulls’ swimming team, is keen to support the hospice after paying it a visit.

He said: “It was great to meet the Marie Curie nurses and see what wonderful work they do.

“The whole team is very excited about what will be a fantastic swimming challenge, and we hope everyone will get behind us to help raise as much as possible.”

The players want as many people as possible to sponsor them on their fundraising webpage. It can be found by visiting swimathon.org and clicking on ‘Sponsor a swimmer’, then search for Bradford Bulls in the teams category.

The Bulls are also offering fans the chance to take part in the 5km swim with them. There are ten places available for the April 25 event and to take part you must raise a minimum of £150 in sponsorship. Each player will be teamed up with two participants to swim a relay race. Contact Rebecca Ross on 01274 337036 or email Rebecca.ross@mariecurie.org.uk for details.

A Marie Curie spokesman said: “It costs more than £3.3 million per year to run the Bradford hospice and it would not be possible without the generous support of the local community.”

The hospice cares for more than 1,100 people every year free of charge.