On Friday 6th October 2023 (in the middle of the Rugby World Cup in France) I will be taking on a charity rowing challenge in aid of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.   

Having completed two charity bike rides including a 215 mile ride from York RUFC to Melrose RFC for the foundation I felt the time had come to test myself once again and raise more money for a charity very close to my heart. 

MND is a horrendous disease. Doddie, Rob Burrow, Steven Darby, Ed Slater and, the unbelievable, Kevin Sinfield have led the way in raising both the profile and the necessary funds needed to pursue a cure. 

Doddie Weir was a hugely inspirational man. I had the pleasure of meeting him several times due to his (and his fellow Scotland rugby legends) close connections to York Rugby Club via their friendship with the late great Ricky Richardson and his Quality Street Gang. 

As Doddie’s shirt number was 5 I will be rowing 55,555m (35 miles) in one painful sitting. A real challenge and, if I’m being honest, one I’m not quite sure I can complete but I will certainly give it my all. 

I know you will have friends and family carrying out similar challenges for their respective charities this year and you cannot support them all. However, I hope you can find a way to spare a couple of quid for the cause. It would be greatly appreciated.

Feel free to have a chuckle at my expense as I will likely be walking like John Wayne and applying Sudacrem to the most tender of areas for the remainder of October.

The numbers - 55,555 m the equivalent of 35 miles/ultra marathon distance (a mile on the rowing machine is as demanding as running one mile). This distance will take around 4.5 hrs (with a couple of short stops) incorporating around 6000 reps and burning approximately 4500 calories. 

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