Wrexham AFC first-team staff Phil Parkinson, Steve Parkin, Catherine Beattie and David Jones will be joining the March of the Day for Marcus Stewart and the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation on Sunday (March 24).
The March of the Day takes place between March 22-24, with a team of ex-footballers taking on a 175-mile walking route between Bradford City and Liverpool – calling at 17 other football ground along the way.
With the message to #AttackMND together, the walk aims to raise money for research into Motor Neurone Disease. The Darby Rimmer MND Foundation was set up by former Bradford City captain Stephen Darby and RAF Veteran Chris Rimmer, both of whom have Motor Neurone Disease. Former footballer Marcus Stewart was also diagnosed last season.
Parkinson, Parkin, Jones and Beattie will be joining the final leg from Wigan Athletic’s DW Stadium to Anfield, covering more than 17 miles.
Wrexham AFC Women’s strength and conditioning coach, Zoe Clair, is also undertaking part of the march – covering the route from Bolton Wanderers to Rochdale on the Saturday.
Parkin explained: “It starts tomorrow at Bradford and is finishing – we hope! – on Sunday tea-time at Anfield, which is the leg we’re joining. We’re really proud to be part of the football community in helping to fight MND.
“Stephen’s played a big part in our football lives over the last few years and we’ve done several charity activities, bike rides etc for him. This is just another way for us to all to get involved and show our support, and really try and help to raise as much money as we can.
“The funds have been coming in to help not only people with MND, but the families who have to help and support them. We’re really proud to do it.”
Parkinson and Parkin worked with Darby at Bradford City and Bolton Wanderers – with Beattie also working alongside them at the latter.
On the walk, Parkinson said: “It’s a great cause. Stephen Darby’s a player who played for me and Steve at Bradford and he means a lot to us as a lad. Through his foundation, he’s done a lot for research into MND and we’re looking forward to being part of it on Sunday.”
Beattie added: “We knew Stephen Darby since before his diagnosis, and he has always put the needs of others first; we’ve followed him closely throughout his MND journey.
“Ever since his diagnosis, he’s wanted to help to everyone he could and set up the Darby Rimmer MND foundation.
“He’s always put others first, and for us we want to show our support and give back as well – to raise awareness and raise money for a good cause so close to our heart. We’ve been overwhelmed already by the generous donations and support we’ve received and it’s amazing to see what the world of football can achieve when we all come together. We just want to continue the good work and help #AttackMND together.”
Jones said: “It’s such an important cause to get behind. For me personally, it’s a privilege to be involved and to have the opportunity to try and help and to raise awareness.
“I’ve been aware working with these guys how important Stephen Darby has been in their football lives recently, so to be able to help support charity is a great privilege for me.”
Clair said: “It’s a really important cause to get involved with. I knew Stephen when he was playing for Bolton and he’s always had time for other people.
“He has given so much to helping others, that its only right to help give back to him and others too.”
You can sponsor Phil, Steve, Cat and David via their JustGiving page here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/lucy-parkin-1709244302398
You can sponsor Zoe here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/ztlcca23
You can find out more about the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation here: https://darbyrimmermnd.co.uk/
Good luck, pob lwc to all involved!
