SUPPORT FOR VAUGHTS

During the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia in Jul 2025, 2 retired rugby players, Charlie Beardmore (Guys Hospital RFC) and Simon Catnach (Esher RFC) aim to cycle 1000 miles to raise money to combat Motor Neurone Disease (MND). They have a combined age of 120 years and combined mass of 200 kg. They will be specifically supporting Andy Vaughton [VAUGHTS to his mates] (Guys Hospital RFC) through the My Name’5 Doddie foundation. The first leg will be approximately 600 miles completed in 8 days from Sydney to Brisbane via Morisset, Bulandelah, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Maclean and Gold Coast. They will then pause to refresh, ideally do some fishing, and watch the first Lions v Wallabies Test Match. The second leg will be approximately 400 miles between Sydney and Melbourne, probably following a route including Jugiong, Wagga Wagga, Albury Wodonga and Euroa, completed in 6 days. They will be joined for the second leg by Bernard Harrington-Vogt (Guys Hospital RFC). The total of both legs will be 1000 miles (1600 km) with approximately 36 000 ft (11 000 m) of ascent. They will then pause to refresh, hopefully watch a game of Aussie Rules, and then see the second Lions v Wallabies Test Match. Their support vehicle will be driven by Paul Terry (Esher RFC).

As a tribute to Andy, Doddie Weir, Rob Burrow, Stephen Hawking, Ronnie Corbett, Roberta Flack and all others affected by MND, and their families, the end of each day will see the raising of a glass of port as a mark of respect. Charlie, Simon, Bernard and Paul are paying all their own travel and accommodation costs and expenses. All money raised will go direct to My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.

Motor Neurone Disease is a fatal, rapidly progressing disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. It can leave people locked in a failing body unable to move, talk and eventually breathe. It kills six people every day in the UK, a third within 12 months of diagnosis and more than half within two years. It has no cure. The physical and emotional burden post diagnosis is huge and can be very difficult to process.

My Name'5 Doddie foundation are supporting vital research into a cure for motor neurone disease and care for it's sufferers. Their efforts and the advances they've made give hope where there was none, and we want to raise as much money as possible to continue their critical work.

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