Rugby Charity Event All4MND

ALL4MND is a charity venture created by a group of Old Birkfeldians over a few Christmas beverages. We have all been touched by the stories of Doddie Weir, Rob Burrow, Ed Slater and their battles with MND (Motor Neurone Disease).

These guys are legends of the rugby field but more importantly they are husbands, fathers, friends and teammates. Seeing Rob Burrow at a testimonial match holding his three children in his arms flanked by his best friends and teammates pulled our heart strings.

Kevin Sinfield, former professional Rugby League player and defence coach for the England national team, has raised millions for MND charities; showing what can be achieved when friendship and love is your motivation.

We have set ourselves the ambitious target of raising £400,000 for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation and 4ED Campaign. The 4ED Campaign is close to the heart of Dan Murphy (Old Birkfeldian and rider) who was a team mate of Ed Slater at Gloucester Rugby Club for many years; they remain close friends to this day.

We are supported by cycle wear brand GOREWEAR and many local businesses, namely Strategiq (Rugby Festival Sponsor 2022), Sports Med East (Old Birkfeldian Jonathan ‘Afi’ George) and Combat2Coffee to name just a few.

At Sports Personality of The Year, Kevin said that Rob Burrow ‘has inspired us all to be better friends.’ That sentiment has inspired us to take on an epic challenge. Our friendships were forged at St Joseph’s College and they have endured the test of time.

MND is a disease that could one day affect any one of us and if we can help the fight now, others will encounter MND on a much more level playing field. Doddie Weir said ‘MND is not incurable; it is underfunded’.

Our initial group of eight has now grown to a team of 40 including 33 riders. We are all associated with Ipswich Rugby Club and we have set ourselves the challenge to cycle over 400 miles in four days from Ipswich Rugby Club to Melrose Rugby Club (the home club of Doddie Weir) in the borders of Scotland. We will be stopping at Leicester Tigers Rugby Club, Leeds Rhinos and Newcastle Falcons on route.

To have a chance of getting near our target we need the help of all of our networks. Not only for donations but to like and share our media so the event can become visible to the widest audience possible. So please donate at: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/all4mnd40 Follow, like, share and promote our media whenever possible.

Many thanks

Oliver Hall OB