Steve Morgan, Managing Director of the P&A Group, and Rob Boyns, Managing Director of Boyns Information Systems Ltd are getting back on their bikes to take part in the Doddie Cup 555 – a 555 mile cycle challenge – with a team of fellow ex-rugby players and cycling enthusiasts from Ruthin and the surrounding areas to raise funds for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.

The team will set off from the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on 9th February and cycle to Murrayfield in Edinburgh, arriving on 11th February in time for the Scotland vs Wales six nations game.

The late Doddie Weir OBE earned 61 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.

In June 2017, the Scotsman was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease and, later that year, Doddie and his trustees launched the registered charity, My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. The vision is simple: A World Free of MND.

Commenting ahead of the challenge, Steve Morgan, Managing Director of the P&A Group, and a former rugby captain for North Wales said:

“This will be the second year that I’ve taken part and, last year, our team was fortunate to carry the match ball all the way from Edinburgh to Cardiff and even carried the ball onto the pitch ahead of the Wales vs Scotland game. This year, we as a team, have set ourselves a target to add to last year’s fundraising and aim to exceed £50,000 in total over, the 2 years of our involvement. In addition to our fundraising goal, we’re looking forward to making new friends and memories along the way as well as renewing old acquaintances. We know from last year that this is a huge challenge especially when you factor in the changeable weather in February! I believe we, as a team, can not only raise funds, but also, raise awareness of MND, not only with the communities that we ride through but also raise awareness with those empowered to commit investment in future research. Everyone has been training hard and raising as much money as possible for this worthwhile cause – Doddie was an inspiration to us all”

Accompanying Steve and Rob on the trip will be Andrew Hamilton, Gwyndaf Jones, Matt Davies, Peter Harrison, Wyn Jones, John Vaughan, Neil Colquhoun, John Devereurx, Owain Tudur Jones and Tudur Owen. The team will cycle the 555 miles in just two and a half days, going through towns and villages along the way. The intention is to cover the distance in a relay style.

Rob Boyns, Managing Director of Boyns.Net Information Systems added:

“We’ve already had a huge amount of support from our customers, suppliers and friends of our businesses’ who are sponsoring the team on this huge challenge. I’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone – their support and their sponsorship, no matter how big or small, is truly appreciated. This year I’m thrilled to have been invited to Rob Wainwrights Core cycling team that will carry the match ball up to the match – The Doddie Cup. The Core team do an extra day to support Ed Slater, recently diagnosed with MND, and ride from Gloucester Rugby Club to Cardiff the day before the official event. The Core Team will also be leading the way for all of the cyclists who are taking part in the Doddie Cup 555 challenge. Keep an eye out for us on the roads – we’d be very grateful for a wave or cheer along the way to keep us motivated!”

Steve, Rob and the team would like to thank the following sponsors:

Boyns Information Systems, P&A Group, Zest Outdoor Living, Crime Prevention Services, Henllan Bread, Cheval, Llaeth y Llan, Bala Caravan Park, King Span, Delsol, Aer Cymru, Aneurin Jones, Pritchard Jones LLP, Cwrw Da – Cwmni Gwyndaf, Horizon Windows, Creditec / Comparitec and Wind2

To support the challenge, and help to raise funds for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, you can visit the JustGiving page here.

The P&A Group established in 1985, comprises Zest Outdoor Living, a leading supplier of award-winning timber garden products to garden centres nationwide and online retailers, The Woodworks Garden Centre and Café in Mold, P&A Pallets & Packaging and St. Andrews Business Centre for leased and virtual offices.

Boyns Information Systems Ltd is an IT and Telephone Systems Managed Service Provider (MSP) Boyns supplies, services and supports customers with all manners of Computing, Print and Telephony Systems whether traditional in-house or Cloud-based. Boyns is proud to be the only North Wales-based Certification Body for the Government-backed Cyber Essentials Scheme. All our Staff back the Doddie Aid Charity and contribute to Society.