Dronfield RFC Supports ‘My Name’5 Doddie Foundation’

For their third charity match of the season, Dronfield Rugby Club 1st XV welcomed south Derbyshire side Ilkeston to Gosforth Fields. This season, the club has supported several charities, including Ashgate Hospice Chesterfield during the annual Pink Weekend in October and Parkinson’s UK in January. The final charity event of the season was dedicated to ‘My Name’5 Doddie Foundation,’ a charity that raises funds for research into Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

In honour of the foundation, the Dronfield 1st XV wore one blue sock and one yellow sock during their match against Ilkeston. The colours represent the foundation’s mission and the legacy of Doddie Weir, a renowned Scottish international player who played 61 times for his country. Doddie Weir revealed his diagnosis of MND in June 2017 and dedicated the rest of his life to helping fellow sufferers and advancing research into the disease.

The charity event featured cakes made by members of the Under 10 team and their parents, available for a small donation. Additionally, a raffle was held for a Doddie Bear, adorned in one of the last pieces of Doddie Weir Tartan made at Lochcarron in the Scottish Borders. The raffle also included a signed Hull FC Rugby shirt, generously donated by Jason Davidson from their coaching staff. When the raffle draw was made, the bear was kindly donated back to the club and will be displayed on the wall in the clubhouse.

The day was a big success for the club, both on and off the field. The Dronfield 1st XV triumphed over Ilkeston with a score of 45-19, and the Dronfield Stags won away at Rolls Royce 1st XV with a score of 33-12. The highlight of the day came when it was announced that £601 had been raised for ‘My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.’

The club is indebted to Rachel Blanksby for organizing the event and is proud to be a caring member of the community. Everyone at Dronfield Rugby Club extends their warmest congratulations and thanks to Syd and Beryl Harris from Mellish RFC for their invaluable contributions to grassroots rugby.