Rugby star's conversion challenge for ill dad

Ella took on the challenge to help her father

An England rugby international has completed more than 1,600 conversions in 24 hours to fundraise for her ill dad's treatment.

Ella Cromack, who plays for Harlequins and England U20s, took on the exhausting challenge for her father, Simon, who was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour in November 2023.

Mr Cromack, from Ashampstead in Berkshire, has had to travel to Germany for regular treatment for glioblastoma that is not available on the NHS.

The number of conversions - 1,611 - was chosen because the date that Mr Cromack received his diagnosis was 16 November.

The 20-year-old fly-half made the first of the kicks from 12:00 BST on Friday at Harlequins' Twickenham Stoop Stadium.

"Physically I'm sure my body will struggle. Mentally I think it's going to be quite easy knowing that I'm doing it for Dad," Ms Cromack said before the challenge started.

Ms Cromack had to make 1,611 conversions to complete the challenge

Mr Cromack said: "It'll be hugely emotional I think but great fun at the same time and I have got everything crossed for her because she's an incredible person."

He said he was "sad and disappointed" that the treatment he was receiving was not available on the NHS because of its cost.

But he added that "at the same time, it's very good in the sense that they give us exactly what we need [in Germany]".

Ms Cromack added: "Ultimately it's quite frustrating. It means that [during the treatment] myself and my sister Nell can't see our dad, so that's pretty gutting from that perspective."