Former Ravens Skipper on charity quest!
On the first weekend in April, former Ravens First Team Captain Tony Perfect (or Dog to his friends) will undertake a mammoth walk in aid of charity. Tony’s plan is to hike from his home in Worcestershire to Nailsea & Backwell Rugby Club to deliver the match ball for the First XV’s game against Weston II’s. This is a distance of 105km which will take roughly 24 hours to complete!
When asked about this ambitious feat, Tony’s response was. ‘Like the rest of the rugby world I have watched Doddie Weir fight against motor neurone disease with courage, dignity and even humour, traits that are deep rooted in our sport in both codes. Having witnessed the efforts of Kevin Sinfield for his team mate Rob Burrow I have become inspired to challenge myself and hopefully raise some money for research into this currently incurable disease.
As Doddie was a Scotland international and a British and Irish Lion I cannot claim to undertake this for a team mate, however, the rugby community is a global team with shared core values that make our game the greatest team sport in the world and so it is this team that I am calling upon for support’.
There is nowhere else that I would want to complete this challenge than at my old club. As a past player, captain and junior coach my time there spanned over 2 decades, years that were filled with challenges and triumphs, wins and losses, friendship and fun and I'm delighted that they are backing this’.
Current First Team Player Dickie Palmer added, ‘Dog was a leader on the pitch setting the example and never giving up when the game was difficult. He is well regarded as one of the best Back Row players the club has produced and his son Ben is now also a regular First team player and coach to the current Under 12’s. It would be amazing if the whole club, and local rugby community could get behind this effort by Tony, and the amazing charity he has chosen to support’.
The chosen charity is Doddie Weir’s My Name’5 Doddie Foundation and you can donate via Tony’s Just Giving link - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tony-perfect. Please also do come down to the club on 2 April to give Tony a huge Ravens welcome!
