I'd like to share wider Nico Allen's story.
Nico organised a charity rugby match last Sunday the 23rd of April at Gresham's School in aid of the 'My Name'5 Doddie Foundation'.

You too can donate to this worthy cause by clicking the link here.

He wanted to raise money in memory of his uncle Jake Van Poortvliet, who sadly passed away in 2021 after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in 2019. Jake was always a big social figure in and around Norfolk, his favourite thing to do was to play rugby.

Since MND has no cure, it leaves a number of families with very few options. Nico wants that to help change this, and My5 is dedicated to researching to find a cure for the horrible disease.

There were a mixture of 16-18 year olds who were keen to be involved from both Greshams, Holt RFC and other clubs. Jake had a love for rugby, beer & having a laugh, so Nico felt that playing a game would be ideal.

On Monday Nico posted on his social media:-
" I just wanted to take a moment to thank absolutely everyone who has donated, helped or even just pinged me a text! I would have been gobsmacked to have even raised my original target of £250 pounds but to now be hitting nearly £2000 on justgiving and to have nearly another £1000 raised from pizza sales and cash donations combined with a massive thanks to Algy's Farm Shop for doing all the delicious pizzas!

Every penny raised will make a massive difference in helping to find a cure for one horrid disease! Today was pleasantly uplifting and it was amazing to do something positive for a disease which needs more recognition - I’m sure Jake would’ve done the same for any of his family or friends alike!

Most of my thanks goes to every single lad who pulled a shirt on today and played their absolute hearts out in a game which ended in a narrow 25-24 loss for the red/yellow “spice merchants”. The game was played in great spirit with plenty of laughs and a grubber kick from Freddie Papworth that wouldn’t look out of place in an international game! When I get the rest of the pictures from the game, I will be sure to be uploading them straight away!

Thanks so much again for all the support - it truly reflects how incredible a man Jake was to receive all this love and donations from an amazing bunch of people."

Well done to Nico and all the young lads that supported the event.

You too can donate to this worthwhile cause by clicking the link here.