Rugby rallies round for Riley
At the age of six, Riley Lake, whose dad, Scott, grandad, Henry Vinnicombe and uncles Jason and Andrew Vinnicombe have all run out for Veor RFC in Cornwall, was last year diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a muscle-wasting condition with no current cure.
Veor and other local rugby clubs were keen to raise awareness and funds for Action Duchenne and a rugby4riley event last May at Redruth RFC had huge support and the funds raised allowed Riley to do some things he would otherwise not have managed.
Torbay Sharks, a Devon representative side, and players from 20 clubs across Cornwall will come together, alongside many other clubs countrywide with well known current and former players for this year's event.
Riley’s dad Scott said: “When Riley was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a life changing and limiting condition, so few people knew of the condition, which is why we ran a rugby4riley event. The rugby community are now coming together from across the country to take part in another rugby4riley charity event at Redruth RFC at the start of May.
“Support has really taken off, with former internationals and Premiership players getting involved. Josh Matavesi, Rob Cook, Chris Brooker, as well as England 7s player Mark Bright and Scotland international David Hilton are some of the players aiming to take part in an event on an amazing family day.
“It is fantastic to see such awareness being raised and funds which may hopefully one day lead to a cure. Rugby really is a family and we, as a family, are so grateful for the support of a sport which has always meant so much to us.”
All auction or raffle prizes are hugely appreciated and tickets can be accessed by emailing Scott Lake. More information can be found at the event's Facebook page.
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