Munster Rugby Cycle For Paul Darbyshire and Motor Neurone Research

Munster Rugby today announced details of the upcoming fundraising cycle from Cork to Warrington in aid of Paul Darbyshire and Motor Neurone Research.

Paul Darbyshire, Munster Head of Strength & Conditioning for the past four years, was diagnosed last September with Motor Neurone Disease.

Paul, has continued to carry out his duties with the squad with a characteristic courage and humour that has been an inspiration to all.

The notion of this cycle was first mooted by Ricky Sergent who is coach of the soccer team that Paul's son Jack plays with in Warrington and Sergent will be joined by former Munster wing Brian Carney and a group from Warrington for the trip.

A native of Wigan in the north of England, Paul played almost all his professional Rugby League career with Warrington Wolves. He is married to Lyndsay and has four children, Ella (13), Georgia (11), Jack aged 7 and baby Harry, born last October.

Funds raised in the course of the cycle will go to the Darbyshire family and to fund research into Motor Neurone Disease being carried out in Trinity College Dublin by Professor of Neurology Orla Hardiman.

GET INVOLVED

The Munster Rugby Cycle for Paul Darbyshire & Motor Neurone Research begins in Musgrave Park in Cork on Sunday June 19th, with the Irish stages finishing in Trinity College Dublin on Tuesday 21st. The cycle then moves to the UK, finishing in Warrington on Thursday 23rd June 2011.

Interested cyclists can opt to take part in single stages or multiple stages of the cycle. Cyclists wishing to take part should register by contacting Munster Rugby on 021-4323563 or email support@munsterrugby.ie.  Registration costs €;50, with a minimum total of €;350 required per cyclist to participate – regardless of how many stages you wish to participate in.

Sponsorship cards are available from Munster Rugby offices, Munster Rugby Stores in Cork and Limerick and Thomond Park.

Stage 1: Sunday 19th June 2011 – Musgrave Park – Thomond Park (98km/61 miles)
Stage 2: Monday 20th June 2011 – Thomond Park – Roscrea RFC (74km/46 miles)
Stage 3A: Tuesday 21st June 2011 – Portlaoise RFC – Maynooth (67km/41.5 miles)
Stage 3B: Tuesday 21st June 2011 – Maynooth – Trinity College (29km/18 miles)*
(Stena Ferry Transfer Dublin –Holyhead) early am Wed 22nd
Stage 4: Wednesday 22nd June 2011 – Holyhead – Colwyn Bay (75km/47 miles)
Stage 5: Thursday 23rd June 2011 – Colwyn Bay – Warrington (93km/58 miles)

*Munster Rugby involvement ends at Stage 3B Finish. Those wishing to continue should contact the following:
UK Stages: Ricky Sergent thesergent@me.com
UK Accommodation: Tracey Hutchinson t.hutchinson1@me.com or mobile +44 7801575519
Stena Line: http://www.stenaline.ie/ or 01-2047777

If you wish to donate, you can do so on www.mycharity.ie//event/munster_rugby_charity_cycle

Sponsorship cards should be returned to:
Munster Rugby Cycle
c/o Munster Rugby
Unit 1 Tramore Commercial Park
Tramore Road
Cork.