This fundraiser is in honour of my great friend Phil Dobbing, an ex-rugby player and former police officer, who I have known for over 40 years. Phil was recently diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND), and like everything he has faced in life, he is approaching this challenge with courage and determination. We want to stand alongside him and do something positive to support him and others affected by this devastating disease.

As many of you know, all proceeds from these events will be going to the MNDA Wirral Group to help raise awareness of Motor Neurone Disease and to support vital research and local assistance for those affected. MNDA Wirral Group have been a huge support to Phil through an extremely difficult time.

To do that, we’re organising two special events:

24-Hour Erg Challenge

📍 Empowered Fit Gym

🗓 Saturday 18th April – Sunday 19th April

⏰ 9:00am to 9:00am (24 continuous hours)

A team of four, myself, Cat Conroy, Fraser Smail, and Phil’s son Andrew Dobbing, will take on a relentless 24-hour endurance challenge. We’ll rotate throughout the day and night on:

Ski Erg

Bike Erg

Row Erg

There will be no stopping, just continuous effort for a full 24 hours. It will be tough, but nowhere near as tough as the daily battle faced by those living with MND.

Presidents XV Charity Match

📍 Birkenhead Park Rugby Club

🗓 Saturday 2nd May

⏰ 2:00pm kick-off

A special match between:

Birkenhead Park Presidents XV v Merseyside Police Presidents XV

Phil represented both clubs with distinction during his playing days, so this is a fitting way to celebrate his contribution to rugby and the community, while raising funds and awareness for MND.

Why We’re Doing This

Motor Neurone Disease is a devastating condition that affects thousands of families across the UK. The MNDA Wirral Group provides crucial local support and contributes to national research efforts. Every donation, no matter how small, will make a real difference.

If you can donate, share, or come along to support one (or both!) events, it would mean the world to us and to Phil.

Let’s get behind this challenge and show what community spirit can achieve.

Thank you so much for your support.

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