Ballyclare RFC Mini Rugby section has raised £1,000 to help people living with Motor Neurone Disease.
A packed fundraising family night hosted by Mini Rugby at Ballyclare Rugby Club was attended by parents and children from Primary 1 to Year 12.
The money raised has been presented to the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, to go towards researching the causes of Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and investigating potential cures. It also makes grants to individuals suffering from MND to enable them to live as fulfilled a life as possible.
Ex-Scotland rugby union international Doddie Weir founded the charity and has MND. To quote Doddie: “To be told you have Motor Neurone Disease is devastating news. From the start, I wanted to do something to help people who were going through the same as me. We are committed to helping find a cure for this devastating disease, but also helping people whose lives have been affected by MND.”
Each year the Convener of the Ballyclare Mini Rugby Section chooses a charity to donate to. This year’s Convenor, Bob Beckwith, chose the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation.
He said: “There are many worthy causes out there and many rugby-focussed charities, but I was particularly moved by Doddie’s situation, especially so when I saw him walk out at Murrayfield surrounded by his family.”
Chris Henry, the ex-Ulster and Ireland player, commented:
“It’s great to see such a fantastic contribution to a very worthy cause. Doddie’s battle with Motor Neurone Disease and how he has fought it is an inspiration to us all and I would like to congratulate Ballyclare RFC Mini Section for such a tremendous effort in raising this money for MND Research.”More information on the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation can be found at www.myname5doddie.co.uk.