LEGENDARY rugby star JPR Williams will be visiting Cheltenham in support of a pioneering project to promote the game in Africa.

The former Welsh international and British Lions player will give a talk and answer questions at the Midland Hotel in Gloucester Road, on Friday, July 2 during the first fund-raising event for the Bhubesi Pride project.

His will speak about his playing days and explain why he is backing the project, which is due to leave Cheltenham for Africa next January.

Bhubesi Pride project co-ordinator Richard Bennett said: "The fact that JPR Williams – a Lions legend – is involved in Bhubesi Pride's project means a massive amount.

"He understands the huge value of what I'm trying to put together and how rugby and indeed sport, as we're seeing from footage of the Football World Cup in South Africa, can be so inspirational in bringing youngsters together, particularly those less privileged.

"JPR's a great support, a kind individual and is keen to join us in Botswana next year."

Bhubesi Pride will see a team of six people undertaking a six-month trip through rural Africa.

The mission will leave Cheltenham and travel 15,000 miles to Cape Town in South Africa.

The mission will teach rugby and deliver health and social skills to deprived children along the way and encourage youngsters to take up the sport.

The expedition will pass through Tunisia after travelling through France and Italy and will cross Libya, Egypt and Sudan before embarking on their rugby coaching programme.

Beginning in Ethiopia, they will continue through Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana and Namibia before arriving in South Africa.

The original route through Northern Uganda had to be changed because of safety fears.

The coaching party will be following in the footsteps of Charley Boorman and Ewan McGregor on their Long Way Down motorbike trip for the BBC.

A rigorous selection process has seen Bennett and experts from the RFU assess a number of candidates for the trip – a decision on the final six is expected to be announced this week.

In-demand skills for the team included vehicle mechanics, medicine, first-aid, filming and editing.

The adventure will be fully funded through corporate sponsorship and charitable donations, allowing the successful applicants who join the Bhubesi Pride team to focus on the project's charitable objectives.

The evening at the Midland Hotel will be smart-casual and hosted by hotel owner John Dix. For details email johndix@hotmail.co.uk.