SMITHY’S DAY – “one of our own” – 14th May 2022
Maidenhead RFC players, supporters and friends came together on Saturday for an overwhelming show of support for Roger Smith, one of our own, who is suffering from Motor Neurone Disease.
With the aim of walking, running or crawling 13 laps of the Athletics track at Braywick to raise money and awareness for the Motor Neurone Disease Association and show our love and support for ‘one of our own’, over 500 people attended and completed the 13 laps over the 13 hours.
Every section of the club was represented as each age group from U6 through to the senior squad, all attended and took part. In addition, many of our older members also took to the track to complete the 13 laps, taking the age spread of participants from under 6 through to 85 years old.
In addition, Smithy’s parents, his brother and his wife and son (Sophie and Barnaby) all attended and all completed their 13 laps of the track.
Some members even took to the track on crutches and in wheelchairs, showing the level of support rugby creates for friends in need and also the fantastic comradery and spirit that can be found in all community rugby clubs around the country.
Unfortunately, some members and ex-players who played with Smithy could not attend. However, their excuses were valid and although unable to attend in person additional participation included 13 laps being undertaken in the Falklands by Richie Craig (past player and Captain) and 13 laps being undertaken by Andy Barron who now lives in Australia. In addition Greg Andrews from South Africa, Eric Blewitt from Aus, Dave Goodman from Turkey, Kevin Young from Turkey and Alex Gallina from Spain all undertook 13 ‘somethings’ to show there was club support from around the world.
The final event of the day was a lap by Smithy himself, an incredible feat and followed and cheered on round the track by over club members, singing rugby songs to get Smithy through a gruelling 400 metres. He made it, with a few stops, as we all expected him to.
Final figures are yet to be confirmed but it is expected that over £15,000 will have been raised for the MND Association charity on the day.
There will be additional opportunities to contribute at a stand at Rock The Moor, run by members of the rugby club that will be selling soft drinks at the event. All proceeds will go to the MND Association.
Organiser Allan Green says: The Smith family were blown away by the community spirit of the club through this event. They take away many memories and lots of positivity.
Maidenhead RFC certainly can look after their own.
As a club we never lost sight of why we were doing this event and at the same time we had fun, laughter and plenty of emotion.
Roger told me the day after, he hasn’t stopped smiling since. That is priceless.
The MND Association
The MND Association is the only national charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland focused on improving access to care, research and campaigning for those people living with or affected by motor neurone disease (MND). The money Maidenhead RFC raised at the Smithy’s Day will help the charity continue its work. MND is a fatal, rapidly progressing disease which affects the brain and spinal cord. It attacks the nerves that control movement and eventually leaves people unable to move, communicate or breathe. It kills a third of people within a year of diagnosis and half within two years. There is no cure.
To support Maidenhead RFC’s fundraising efforts please visit https://www.justgiving.com/team/smithy13
For additional information (or image requests) please see link below or contact allan-greene@hotmail.co.uk or sbough@maidenheadrfc.co.uk.
Initial images are available on our social media accounts with additional images available soon.
