Managing Director of garden furniture, grow your own and decorative garden structure specialist, Zest, Steve Morgan is embarking on an epic cycle challenge – the Doddie Cup 500.
With a team of fellow ex-rugby players, the trip begins at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh on 10th February and ends at The Principality Stadium in Cardiff, arriving on 12th February in readiness for the Wales vs Scotland game. The Doddie Cup 500 raises funds for Motor Neurone Disease research via the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.
Doddie Weir OBE is one of rugby’s most recognisable personalities. He earned sixty-one caps for Scotland during a successful playing career, represented the British and Irish Lions on their successful tour to South Africa in 1997, and won championships with his two club sides, Melrose, and Newcastle Falcons. A talented, committed, and athletic lock forward, Doddie is now facing his biggest challenge. In June 2017, the Scot revealed he was suffering from Motor Neurone Disease. From the outset, Doddie has been driven to help fellow sufferers and seek ways to further research into this incurable disease. He launched the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation with a clear and simple vision – a world free of MND.
Commenting on the forthcoming challenge, Steve Morgan, who is himself a former rugby player for North Wales, said, “We’ve been training in the Vale of Clwyd and beyond in the worst types of Welsh weather in preparation for the challenge. MND affects many people and we’re aiming to raise as much money as possible to help research and raise awareness of this cruel disease.
“It’s a huge challenge and it’s going to be tough riding conditions in early February cycling through Scotland, England and Wales. I’d like to say thank you in advance to our customers, suppliers and friends of the company who have donated and sponsored the team – their support is truly appreciated!”
Main sponsors to date include Pax8, which has pledged an amazing £10,000, Boyns Information Systems, Pritchard Jones Lane LLP, Connectwise, Wind2, Cartref Bryn yr Eglwys, Crime Prevention Services, Jungheinrich, Lock Stock, ECC Timber Products, Cwmni Da, Taylormade Timber (James Jones & Sons), Emyr Evans Tractors, Henry’s Timber Ltd, Spot Nails, Brew Digital, Henllan Bread, Consolidated Lazer Line, Delsol, AER Cymru, Llaeth Y Llan, Zest and the P&A Group.
Accompanying Steve on the trip will be Robert Boyns representing Boyns Information Systems Ltd, Wyn Jones from Pritchard Jones Lane LLP and Matt Davies, with a team of two – John Vaughan who works at P&A Group and Neil Colquhoun – providing support in an accompanying team van. The core team of four will complete the event relay style.
To support Steve and the team, and help to raise funds for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, you can visit the JustGiving page here.
Over the last eleven years, Zest employees and their P&A Group colleagues have raised more than £100,000 for a variety of charities including Macmillan Cancer Support, Hope House and Tŷ Gobaith Children’s Hospices, Cancer Research UK, Action for Children, Alzheimer’s Society, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and Meningitis Now. Zest was established in 2005 to bring high quality, sustainable timber garden products to garden centres, online retailers, builders’ merchants, and major purchasing groups across the UK. For further information about Zest’s GYO, decorative and furniture products, visit www.zestoutdoorliving.co.uk.
