MND Fundraiser - 10 to 12 October 2025 - Stephen Darby (ex pro)

[maroonsgotop]

Following the passing of our 2012 Cup winning Captain, Marius Žaliūkas, most of us are aware how cruel MND is as an illness.

 

One of the guys I play Walking Football with has told me about a MND, Charity Fundraiser that is taking place over the weekend of 10 to 12 October 2025. This is in relation to another young professional footballer (Stephen Darby) who has also been struck down with this dreaded illness. A sponsored walk will visit 22 Football grounds in Scotland, including Hearts, over 3 days and it would be great if we could help raise funds and possibly turn out in numbers to support this special event. I’m not sure if there’s still time to register to take part  as one of the 'Open walkers' but I’m sure all walkers who want to go along will be made welcome. (please note I am only raising awareness and not part of the organised group putting this together so any questions will need to be directed through the various organising web sites - details below)

 

This is a summary of the details, as known to me.

 

·         Stephen Darby, personal statement. 

·         Event details

·         How to donate  

 

Stephen Darby - Football Career

"After playing professional football since the age of 17, on the 12^th September 2018, I was forced to retire at the age of 29 after being given the diagnosis of motor neurone disease (MND). At the time of my diagnosis, I was still playing football at Bolton Wanderers and training every day. I had played professional football since the age of 17 having played for Liverpool, Swindon Town, Notts County, Rochdale, Bradford City and Bolton Wanderers.

 

My first sign of symptoms was a weakness in my hand and twitching in my arm. For 12 months I was being treated for something different at one point and things were looking quite promising. However, after 18 months of testing I was finally given the devastating news that I had MND. Testing consisted of MRI scans, EMG tests and nerve conduction study tests. Testing also consisted of having IV infusions lasting 5 days each time and a lumbar puncture. Over the course of the last 2 and a half years, symptoms have been progressing slowly. I have weakness in both hands and twitching in my arms, legs, chest and tongue. Starting the foundation was a way of turning something so devastating into something positive. To have a positive impact on MND and to help those individuals and families living through it to support them."

 

 

Stephen is married to former England Women’s Captain, Steph Houghton.

 

 

SCOTTISH MARCH OF THE DAY - 10 to 12 October 2025

 

The Darby Rimmer MND Foundation and the My Name5 Doddie Foundation are proud to share that they are working together to stage the Scottish March of the Day, a continuous 146-mile fundraising walk around 22 football grounds in Scotland. Each Foundation will have a core team of 12 completing the full route in rotation. This will include many former footballers and those whose lives have been impacted by Motor Neurone Disease. The walk, which starts at Motherwell FC and finishes at the Doddie Weir statue at Murrayfield, will take just over two days to complete. All funds raised will be shared equally by the two charities.

 

This is an open event and anyone can take part. Walkers can register in groups of up to 6 people to walk any of the daytime stages. We are also looking for companies who might want to come on board as an event sponsor, either as one of our two main sponsors, sponsors of one of our 22 stages, or sponsors of one of our 31 core team members.

 

Open Walkers will be able to register in teams of up to six to join any part of the day time stages. These stages include

 

Registration for core walkers costs £10 per person, which covers the cost of their event t-shirts. Registration can be completed online.

 

Full details of how to register or to become a sponsor can be found at the link below. https://www.redwoodevents.co.uk/smotd/

 

We have only just started to recruit the core teams, and already we have many former footballing heroes signed up to take part, including former Scotland strikers John McGinlay and Andy Walker and former Hibs midfielder Filipe Morais. We are working with Martin Johnston, formerly of Cove Rangers, Brechin City, Peterhead and Elgin City, who has MND. Many of his former teammates and friends are looking to take part, including Kevin Tindal, Barry Thompson, James Lennox and Mark Perry. We are expecting the numbers of former players to grow significantly, including others from the rugby union world too.

 

Come and be part of something very special. Help us bang the drum against Motor Neurone Disease.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Donation payment methods

 

 

Edited September 7 by maroonsgotop
double entry

[maroonsgotop]

giving this worthwhile occasion/fund raiser a wee bump

[maroonsgotop]

giving this it's weekly bump. Hopefully this event gets lots of support and funds raised. I'm sure it will.

[OTT]

Its always really hard to read folks MND diagnosis. I really hope one day we're able to see a cure. 

 

Looks like a great cause  

[Tommy Brown]

Seen Darby on an episode of Alan Titchmarsh's "Love my Garden".

[jr ewing]

Signed up. 

[maroonsgotop]

another wee bump. Less than 2 weeks to go now.

[jr ewing]

A week today. Please give generously Thank you 😊 

[maroonsgotop]

On 05/10/2025 at 12:39, jr ewing said:

A week today. Please give generously Thank you 😊 

another wee bump

[jr ewing]

Leaving Meadowbank now 😢