Scotland legend Donna Kennedy and her Golden Girls team mates have completed an unforgettable charity bike ride in aid of the 4Ed Foundation supporting families affected by Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
Sponsored by Vodafone, four ex-international rugby players – Kennedy, Tamara Taylor, Amy Garnett and Rocky Clark aka the Golden Girls – set off from the Stadium of Light, Sunderland, and, during the first leg of their trip, cycled just under 400 miles to Gloucester in under five days.
On September 3 the team cycled into Kingsholm Stadium – home of the 4Ed Foundation – just in time for the International Defence Rugby Competition Final.
September 18 brought the start of the second leg of the challenge, beginning at Sandy Park, Exeter, and they headed to Allianz Stadium Twickenham and got there just a few days ahead of the Women’s Rugby World Cup final which takes place on Saturday.
Kennedy is Scotland’s most capped ever player with 115 while Taylor is currently a Scotland U20 assistant coach. Clark and Garnett both played for England as did Taylor.
“We did it,” Kennedy said on social media.
“We cycled all of the World Cup venues raising money for 4Ed . Thanks to my fellow Golden Girls as we had a blast as always. We could not have done this without our amazing support drivers Martin Rae and Lucy Baker, you guys were amazing, thank you both so much. We are also very grateful for the wonderful support from Vodafone UK, thank you.
“I would also like to say a special thank you to my wife Karen and my kids Ruairidh and Eilidh for supporting me during this challenge.”
Goals for the challenge:
- To help those affected by MND across the UK – raising funds and awareness for the 4Ed Foundation, enabling them to reach more families with vital practical and financial support.
- To increase awareness of women’s rugby by engaging fans, players, and communities along our route.
- To highlight the power of rugby, a sport that provides a deep sense of belonging, lifelong friendships, and a strong support network.
- To connect with grassroots clubs to share our experiences and motivate the next generation.
By donating to 4ED you will be helping to support more families affected by Motor Neurone Disease (MND). The Foundation offer support primarily through the means of monetary family grants, which help to ease the burden of the ever increasing costs associated with the disease.
The Foundation also holds regular events for the MND community in various locations across the UK, where people can engage with other families and individuals impacted by the disease, share experiences and advice, and access vital emotional and practical support.
It is not too late, please donate what you can to support this incredibly important cause and get behind the team as they take on this incredible challenge – donate here.
The Golden Girls are pictured arriving at Allianz Stadium Twickenham
From August 7 until September 30, GH Media will be following the Scotland World Cup journey all of the way. We will be at all of the Scotland matches down south and will be bringing you all of the interviews and news from camp as well as taking a wider look at the tournament as a whole and its impact on the women’s game. Thanks to Quirky Chocolate and other supporters for allowing this content to happen and to readers for engaging with it.