FOUR Moore Rugby Club pals are trekking from Warrington to Gibraltar in an old banger of a car worth less than £1,000 for two very worthy causes.
You may spot a Citroen dressed in astroturf and tartan in town over the next few weeks
This is as Moore Rugby Club members Andrew Mossop, Paul Bond, John Ferguson, and Andy Lee prepare to take part in the Veterans Banger Rally.
After wanting to compete in the rally for a number of years, the quartet will finally be racing off on September 24.
They will be raising funds for two causes very close to their hearts – My Name'5 Doddie Foundation and Blind Veterans UK.
My Name’5 Doddie Foundation is a motor neurone disease charity launched by one of rugby’s most recognisable personalities, Doddie Weir.
Doddie, who spoke at one of Moore Rugby Club’s annual dinners, revealed in 2017 that he was suffering from motor neurone disease which he sadly died from in November last year.
President of Moore Rugby Club Andrew said: “We have got a massive appreciation of what Doddie did for rugby.
“This year, given that Doddie has passed away and with what is going on with motor neurone with a few other rugby players, we decided to give the rally a go.”
Meanwhile, Blind Veterans UK, which provides rehabilitation, training, practical advice and emotional support to veterans regardless of how or when they lost their sight, also means a lot to the four men – especially John who is an ex-veteran himself.
To partake in the rally, a requirement is that the car must cost less than £1,000.
The team, who are from Warrington, Runcorn, and Frodsham, managed to secure their vehicle, which they have named Bonnie, for £999 from a garage in St Helens.
After three weekends of decorating, the car is dressed in astroturf to show the group’s link to rugby and tartan colours to represent the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation.
The men will be leaving Dover on September 24 with the aim of arriving at The Military Barracks in Gibraltar on October 1.
Once over the Channel, they will visit the war graves in Dunkirk, before calling in at the likes of Rouen, Poitiers, Pau, Zaragoza, Benidorm, and Malaga.
“The car is all good now and we just looking forward to getting under way,” Andrew said.
“It was booked almost a year ago, so we are all really excited to just get on with it.
“And because it’s a rugby thing, there’s a bit of teamwork there as well.”
All of the money raised by the team will be split between the two charities.
Andrew added: “They are two really worthy causes and any donations no matter how big or small are greatly appreciated.”
The team has also set up a Facebook page where their progress can be tracked during the rally.
You can follow their progress here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/276631138465626
You can donate to their JustGiving page for My Name’5 Doddie Foundation here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/andrew-mossop-1690487122058
You can donate to their JustGiving page for Blind Veterans UK here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/andrew-mossop-1690488816508
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