CROWDS flocked to support a group of medics who are taking on a 34 hour world record attempt on a Poole beach in aid of charity.

A team of 22 players are on a mission to smash a beach touch rugby world record by playing non stop for 34 hours on Branksome Dean Beach.

The group known as the ‘Sandbaggers’ started their challenge at 8am on Friday May 20 and are hoping to continue until 6pm today, beating the current world record of 33 hours and 33 minutes.

READ MORE: Medic team to attempt beach touch rugby world record in Poole

So far they have raised almost 70,000 for two motor neurone disease charities, the Motor Neurone Disease Association and the My Name's Doddie Foundation.

They chose to fundraise for these charities in support of their teammate Andrew Vaughton, 44, who was diagnosed with the incurable disease last year.

Bournemouth Echo:

In the 28th hour of the game, Mr Vaughton said: “The event has gone brilliantly, there's been a huge amount of support, even before today just getting to this point, everyone pulled together and invested a huge amount of energy and time into this.

“Over the last day it’s been fantastic and exceeded all my expectations. It's been a real privilege to play rugby with these guys for 28 hours and it's been really fun, especially overnight.

“The support is overwhelming, I’m very humbled and emotional when I think about it. I find it really difficult to think about because it means so much to me and it's been an incredible outpouring of love. So far we’ve raised nearly £70,000 and I think I put £5,000 down as a target.”

Andrew’s wife Susie Vaughton was also there, supporting the players with friends and family who named themselves the ‘Handbaggers’.

Bournemouth Echo:

Mrs Vaughton, who is a GP in Ashley Cross said: “It’s incredible we are absolutely overwhelmed with the level of support, it’s been a massive community effort.

“Andy's diagnosis has been completely devastating but the amount of support we've had from family and friends and the community has been amazing. It means the world to us, we get emotional even thinking about it and the fact that they’re playing for Andy.

“The Sandbaggers play every Thursday on the beach and they have done for 14 years. When he told the Sandbaggers, they were all onboard from the start and setting it all up has been a massive mission.”

Due to the world record rules only 22 players were allowed to take part with two teams of six players on the pitch at all times.

This meant each team member had to play every other hour for the whole 34 hours, including through the night.

Sandbagger, Tom Wallis said: “Andrew was diagnosed with Motor Neurone disease last year and as part of that devastating news we thought we could try and do something to support him and some of the charities that do great work in the area. All of the boys have been working hard and training for it and it’s been really great so far.”

Another Sandbagger Oliver Smith said: “All the support that's been coming down and knowing that we've raised 67,000 so far is absolutely amazing.”

Sandbagger Ian said: “We are now 6 hours away from our target so we've been playing rugby for 28 hours and they've been incredible, were delighted how the days gone and the support that we’ve got, we've had loads of donations and our sponsors have allowed us to raise such a fantastic amount of money.”

To donate visit: justgiving.com/team/SandbaggersRFC