Paul Darbyshire
Paul Darbyshire, Munster Head of Strength & Conditioning for the past four years was diagnosed last September with Motor Neurone Disease. Despite his illness,he has continued to the best of his ability to carry out his duties with the squad with a characteristic courage and humour that has been an inspiration to all.
The Cycle from Cork to Warrington , in England, was first mooted by Ricky Sergent who is coach of the soccer team that Paul's son Jack plays with in Warrington.
A native of Wigan in the north of England, Paul played almost all his professional Rugby League career with Warrington Wolves. He is is married to Lyndsay and has four children, Ella (13), Georgia (11), Jack aged 7 and baby Harry, born last October.
All of the players in the Munster squad are involved in this event and are taking part in some of the stages of the cycle. The funds raised in the course of the Cycle Ride will go to the Darbyshire family and to fund research into Motor Neurone Disease being carried out in Trinity College Dublin by Professor of Neurology Orla Hardiman.
Earlier this year former South Africa captain Joost van der Westhuizen was diagnosed with a form of motor neurone disease, as was a Springbok team-mate, Andre Venter, who now uses a wheelchair.
In 2002 London Irish full back Jarrod Cunningham was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (also know as Lou Gehrig's disease after the US baseball players), another form of Motor Neurone Disease and immediately retired from professional rugby. He returned to New Zealand in December 2004 to raise awareness about the illness within New Zealand rugby.
This weekend the Munster rugby squad are supporting one of their own and the Cycle Ride for Paul Darbyshire begins in Musgrave Park in Cork on Sunday June 19th, with the Irish stages finishing in Maynooth on Tuesday 21st. The Cycle willthen move to the UK, finishing in Warrington on Thursday 23rd June 2011.
Interested cyclists can opt to take part in single stages or multiple stages of the event and those wishing to take part should register by contacting Claire Hickey, Munster Rugby on 021-4323563 or email support@munsterrugby.ie.
Registration costs €50, with a minimum of €300 required per cyclist to participate- regardless of how many stages you wish to participate in.
Itinerary
Stage 1: Sunday 19th, June 2011
Musgrave Park – Thomond Park (98km/61 miles)
Stage 2: Monday 20th, June 2011
Thomond Park – Roscrea RFC (74km/46 miles)
Stage 3A: Tuesday 21st, June 2011
Portlaoise RFC – Maynooth (67km/41.5 miles)
Stage 3B: Tuesday 21st, June 2011
Maynooth - Trinity College (29km/18 miles)
*(Stena Ferry Transfer Dublin – Holyhead) early am Wed 22nd
Stage 4: Wednesday 22nd, June 2011
Holyhead – Colwyn Bay (75km/47 miles)
Stage 5: Thursday 23rd, June 2011
Colwyn Bay – Warrington (93km/58 miles)
Those wishing to continue the event in England should contact the following: UK Cycling Stages: Ricky Sergent by email thesergent@me.com; UK Accommodation: Tracey Hutchinson at email t.hutchinson1@me.com or mobile +44 7801575519
All Sponsorship cards should be returned to:
Munster Rugby Cycle Ride for Motor Neurone Research
c/o Munster Rugby
Unit 1 Tramore Commercial Park
Tramore Road
Cork
If you would like more information please visit the main charity page at Paul Darbyshire Cycle .
No comments:
Post a Comment