In honour of his memory as a true club stalwart, the team have organised an
annual Under 8s tag rugby festival.
One of Alan's last requests was to ask people attending his funeral to donate
money to the Erdington Under 8s team, in the hope of encouraging
youngsters in the second city to take up the sport.
The generosity of everyone in attendance, meant they raised nearly £1,500.
The club will now be organising an annual Under Bs tag rugby festival
in Alan's memory.
Erdington head coach, Phil Spencer, said: "It was his final wish that
donations be sent to the club to fund its lowest age group.
"Alan's stepson, Tom Owen has donated a trophy for the first festival, which
will take place on Sunday, March 29."
Phil hopes to see Alan's wife, Jayne present ing the trophy.
MND is a debilitating disease. It affects the brain and spinal chord by
attacking the nerves that control movement.
Alan's struggle with the disease has inspired club members to raise
awareness.
Erdington teamed up with the Greater Birmingham Rugby Football Union for
a showpiece event in support of former Scotland international and British
Lions' star Doddie Weir, who was diagnosed with MND in 2016.
A total of £4,000+ was raised for the 'My Name's Doddie Foundation', set up
by Weir to fund research into the causes of M ND, investigate potential cures,
and makes grants to individuals suffering from the disease.
The support for MND is not Erdington RFC's only social project, as the club is
also running a bold initiative to tackle knife crime in inner city Birmingham
by getting young people involved in rugby.
The Changing Lives Through Rugby scheme was launched last January, to
run coaching sessions for under 1 Ss from four inner city north Birmingham
schools.
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