BBQ with two OBEs, two MBEs and a World Cup final scorer
Rugby fans have a unique opportunity to meet a plethora of rugby superstars TONIGHT when The Big Rugby BBQ takes place at Media One hotel in Media City, in aid of five-year-old Jack Johnson.
One former England international will even be supplying the soundtrack to the night from the decks!
The Joining Jack Rugby Team, which includes two OBEs, two MBEs and a World Cup final try scorer, are hosting the very special event at The DEK on 8 from 7pm on November 26, with all proceeds from the Dhs150 fee (for entrance, BBQ and welcome drink) going to help find a cause for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, with which young Jack unfortunately suffers.
The players are in town to play in the International Veterans tournament for the Emirates Airlines Dubai Rugby 7’s this weekend.
Led by Jack’s dad Andy Johnson, he will be joined by Jason Robinson OBE, Andy Farrell OBE, Martin Offiah MBE, Kris Radlinski MBE, Gary Connolly, Paul Sculthorpe and Sean Long to name a few.
The aim for the special event – for which there are also VIP tables available which include signed photos, a commemorative rugby shirt and one of the players to be hosting your table – is to raise money and awareness for Jack’s fight. And, of course, to have a good time. With Martin Offiah guest Dj-ing, you can be sure that will be the case.
The wider campaign itself is really picking up pace in the UK, where a massive publicity campaign online, Facebook, TV and Twitter is in full swing – Rio Ferdinand, the Coronation Street cast, Alan Shearer and Ronnie Wood of Rolling Stones are all involved.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is currently incurable and means young Jack’s life will follow a predetermined path, mapped out by this progressive muscle wasting condition. In short, he will no longer be able to walk by the time he reaches adolescence and will lose the use of every single muscle in his body thereafter. He may need spinal rods to keep him upright and ventilation to help him breath. Eventually his heart and lungs will fail and he will die.
Mark Lee, General Manager, stated, “Media One Hotel is pleased to continue to be part of this great initiative and is looking forward to welcoming Jack back to Media One. We are particularly pleased to be hosting the BIG Rugby BBQ for the Dubai rugby community to get up close and personal to these talented players and coaches to build on the sense of community spirit here in Dubai for Jack and his family”.
For more information, visit joiningjack.org or like his facebook page – Joining Jack.
The full squad is: Andrew Farrell OBE, Jason Robinson OBE, Kris Radlinski MBE, Martin Offiah MBE, Paul Sampson, Andy Johnson, Gary Connolly, Steve Blakeley, Sean Long, Mick Cassidy, Chris Joynt, Denis Betts, Steve Hampson, Paul Sculthorpe, Nick Wilkinson, Simon Haughton, Danny Ellison.
Dek on 8, Media One Hotel, Media City, Dubai. Tuesday 7pm. Dhs 150. Tel: (04) 271000. Taxi: Media One. www.mediaonehotel.com