Hampton & Richmond's Matt Lovett will swap his goalkeeping gloves for climbing equipment by taking on the grueling Three Peaks Challenge next month.

Lovett will attempt to climb Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Mount Snowdon in less than 24 hours to raise money for the Shooting Star Trust.

He will be joined for the challenge, on Friday, June 24, by friends Dan Hamblin, Phil Levett and Ryan Maskery, who will be raising cash for other children’s charities.

“We were out over Christmas and me and a few mates were trying to come up with a challenge to do in the summer,” said 31-year-old Lovett, who joined Hampton from Staines Town in 2005.

“Firstly, we came up with this bike ride in Brighton but decided that would be too easy, so someone suggested we do the Three Peaks Challenge and five months down the line, it is happening.

“It involves almost 26 miles hiking and 450 miles of driving.

Lovett, an insurance broker in Hampton Wick, decided to raise money for the Shooting Stars Trust, which Hampton & Richmond have supported for a while.

“I have had the privilege of visiting the hospice in Hampton and seeing the work that is done there for children,” he said.

“A few of us players took presents down for the kids at Christmas and we got to see all the good work they do, it was very humbling and inspiring.”

The challenge follows a frustrating season for Lovett who only returned to action towards the end of the season after a serious injury left him out of action for three-and-a-half months.

He has only recently been able to resume training for the event but is pleased that Hampton managed to retain their Blue Square South status.

“The aim at the beginning of the season was survival which we achieved,” he said.

“We have a very small budget and a lot of younger lads in the team have limited experience at this level but they did very well and we are pleased with how it went in the end.

“I missed a big part of the season so, personally, it wasn't the best but I started well and considering the injury I had, I came back and did OK.”

To sponsor Matt visit justgiving.com/Matt-Lovett A draw will be held this Friday to find out which company’s name will appear on Hampton’s playing kit next season. It is part of the inaugural Beveree Ball, being held at the Lensbury Club.

For more about the auction or the sponsorship draw e-mail Steve O’Neill at steve@decorativeroooms.com