Clubs in the north are needed to help complete The Longest Try’s relay around Great Britain
WILL Carling will run the first mile of the Longest Try from Twickenham in July as the rugby family comes together to raise money in support of those living with motor neurone disease.
The Longest Try relay run links six rugby clubs a day covering 90 miles a day with 15 runners, running one mile each. Event organiser Sue Dorrington has had a fantastic response from rugby teams throughout the country but is still in need of clubs north of Leicester, into Scotland via Melrose RFC and back down the Northwest coast.
Former England star Dorrington said: “If your club is on the route or near…we need your help! Taking part only costs £10 per runner and our aim is to raise as much money as possible to support people living with motor neurone disease.
“We have made some great inroads but sign-ups are lower in the north west and north east as clubs close down their season.”
Carling, who was England’s youngest captain aged 22, and went on to win 72 caps, leading the side to three Grand Slams and a World Cup final, will kick off the event on July 24. Carling said: “Get out there, sign up for The Longest Try and do something that really will make you proud. “Help the MND cause. There are some great people sadly who have been struck by it and we would all be incredibly proud of you if you could go out there and make a difference. Enjoy!”
The relay run will head north from Twickenham to arrive in Edinburgh on Saturday, July 29, south again to reach Cardiff on Saturday, August 5, running through Gloucester on Sunday, August 6, Bracknell on Friday, August 11 to finish on August 12 at Twickenham with a Wasps FC team scoring the try at the England v Wales World Cup warm-up match.
The event is in support of the MND Association, Gloucester Rugby Foundation, Wasps Legends Charitable Foundation with donations to MND Scotland and My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.
Gloucester lock Ed Slater was diagnosed with MND in July last year. Paul Rendall, ‘The Judge’, Wasps and England prop, has also been diagnosed. Rendall said: “Call out to all clubs young and old to join The Longest Try! I’m living with MND and by supporting this great cause you can help raise vital funds.
THE RUN DETAILS
• Over 100 rugby clubs will be linked back-to-back around the country
• Participating clubs will submit 15 club members to run 1 mile each or 15 miles (participants must be 18 years old or over)
• Allocated time to complete the 15-mile stretch: 2hrs 15 minutes…a 9 minute mile average
• Start time, run handover times each day at 8.00 am/10.15 am/12.30 pm/2.45 pm/5.0 pm and 7.15 pm
• Clubs to devise off road routes to link to participating clubs at either end of the 15 miles. Try to avoid road running please. Pavements and paths acceptable
• The run will cover an average of 90 miles a day with six clubs running each day
• The number of clubs taking part each day will depend on where the run is passing through and the mileage we need to cover that day.
• The ball will be carried and passed for 20 days.
The Longest Try can feel a lot shorter the more people that take part, two runners per mile or even five to help each other over the line. Please get involved!”
Winchester RFC are one of the many clubs taking part and former captain and now club president Rob Sanderson explains why it is a cause to close to their hearts.
“As soon as word was out for the Longest Try Winchester RFC just had to be involved as fundraising for the MNDA has become second nature to the club over the last eight years,” Sanderson said. “Why? Because I lost my wife Kate to the condition at the end of 2014.
“Knowing nothing about the disease prior to Kate’s diagnosis it seemed appropriate to try and raise the awareness of the condition. And not being a cyclist why not try something new and dream up a cycling challenge in her memory.
So, together with son Will, “CycleForKate” was born starting with an 800-mile cycle from Calais to Perpignan over 10 days in the summer of 2015. “It was supposed to be a “one off” but such was the camaraderie within the 12-man team together with the sense of a shared achievement that subsequent adventures were inevitable. So Caen to Cannes with a detour up Mont Ventoux came to be subsequently followed with joining the Great Rugby Cycles taking a 100 mile/day challenges around the perimeter of both Ireland and Wales for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.
“But perhaps the most amazing fundraiser was cycling over the Canadian Rockies from Calgary to Vancouver in 10 days last July. But not everyone has the time or inclination for multiple day cycling madness so a day event has been hosted by WRFC for the last seven years where participants cycle, run, or even just walk a distance and route of their choosing for the MNDA.
“The Longest Try just encapsulates so much what the club has been doing since 2015.”
LONGEST TRY SILENT AUCTION AND RAFFLE
There are lots of ways you can join in the Longest Try and support people living with motor neurone disease. Sue Dorrington said: “Drop onto the Silent Auction and start bidding now. There are great Lots on offer and something for everyone or you can simply buy a raffle ticket or make a donation! Every penny matters! Thank you!”
■ The Sporting Wine Club is offering the Top Fundraising team: A case of Doddie5 Cap Classique
A four-ball at Wisely Golf Club plus breakfast, lunch or dinner, depending on tee-off time. A haven for golfers with a passion for the game. Less than an hour from central London, nestled in 224 acres of lush Surrey countryside, is the home of an exceptional golf club. State-of-the-art facilities and the most welcoming atmosphere make The Wisley what it is: a sporting gem, owned and cherished by its members. Wine Tasting for 24 people at their local sports club. Kindly donated by The Sporting Wine Club.
■ Sarah Hunter MBE, England’s most capped rugby player, is donating a signed ball. Sarah has represented England since the 2010 Women’s Rugby World Cup and retired on March 25, 2023 with 142 international caps.
■ Aprivate tour of Twickenham stadium will give you exclusive access with one of our experienced tour guides who will take you into some of the most exciting and select areas of the Stadium.
See behind the scenes and visit some of the most exciting and select areas of the Stadium.
Included in the tour are the Royal Box, players’ tunnel, and a visit pitchside.
The highlight of the trip is a visit to the England dressing room where you will learn about the matchday preparations and routines of international rugby players.
Finish your visit in the World Rugby Museum.
Kindly donated by The World Rugby Museum.
■ A rugby coaching session with South African hooker, Harry Roberts. Harry qualified to play for both Scotland and South Africa.
Harry was capped by Scotland B to play against Ireland ‘B’ on 22 December 1990. He toured with the Springboks to France and England in 1992. Missing out on the Test matches on tour, Harry played in six tour matches and scored one try for the Springboks. He also played for London Scottish and Leicester Tigers.
The coaching session can be with the forwards, front row or the entire team…within Leicestershire. Kindly donated by Harry Roberts.
CHARITY PARTNERS
Sporting Wine Club has come onboard to support the fundraising efforts and event marketing.
Sporting Wine Club has been involved in the fight against MND for the last three years.
Firstly, when Kenny Logan approached Simon Halliday and Schalk Burger to make the iconic Doddie5 Red Blend for the great man Doddie Weir, then the 7&5 Charity Gin for him and Rob Burrow and finally the Doddie5 Cap Classique. All to raise funds and awareness.
Halliday, left, the former Bath, Harlequins and England three-quarter who is a co-founder of The Sporting Wine Club, said: “The news of my old friend Paul Rendall being diagnosed with this terrible disease has caused The Sporting Wine Club to redouble our efforts.
“The Longest Try takes this fight into the heartland of club rugby in England and SWC looks forward to working with the charity partners Wasps Legends Foundation to help this try to be scored back at the home of rugby Twickenham on August 12 where Paul and I played so many games together.”
■ There is also a partnership with SNAP Sponsorship to secure sponsorship for elements of the event. To join in the fun and sponsor elements of the event…SNAP Sponsorship lists the options! https://www. snapsponsorship.com/ rights-owners/events/ longest-try.
