The QBE Foundation has persuaded former Australian and British rugby union stars to put past rivalries aside and participate in a 1000km charity cycle ride.

Former Wallabies players Simon Poidevin, Warwick Waugh and Andrew Heath will join ex-British and Irish Lions Roger Uttley, Mike Teague, Peter Winterbottom and Tyrone Howe on the Ride of the Lions event from Melbourne to Sydney.

They aim to raise more than $500,000 for Redkite, a charity which supports children and young adults with cancer, and UK-based Walking With The Wounded, which helps injured soldiers find long-term employment after leaving the armed forces.

QBE Australia’s EGM Intermediary Distribution Tony MacRae, who chairs the QBE Foundation, says the aim is to help people overcome disadvantage.

The riders left yesterday and will arrive in Sydney on Saturday with the official match ball for that night’s deciding test match between the current Wallabies and the touring Lions team.