Frankby Greasby Go for Gold
Over the weekend of 9 and 10 May nearly 100 members of 1st Frankby Greasby Scout Group took part in a sponsored 100-mile walk to raise funds to help 19 year-old Matthew Dodd from Upton to take part in the World Transplant Games in Australia in August 2009.
Former Scout Matthew had a liver transplant when he was 5 years old and has been chosen to represent the UK at the World Transplant Games on the Gold Coast, Queensland. These Games take place every two years where over 1500 athletes representing 70 countries compete at an extraordinarily high level with other transplant recipients in an atmosphere of fun and friendship.
Leaders and parents covered the first 85 miles in a number of relay legs before the Explorers, Scouts, Cubs, Beavers and Matthew himself joined at appropriate distances from the finish at Wirral Country Park, Thurstaston, where a celebratory BBQ was held.
Chris Hughes, the Group Scout Leader said “Matthew is a remarkable young man and a real inspiration to all of our young people. We were only to happy to take up the challenge to raise funds to help him realise his dream to represent Great Britain at the World Transplant Games.” He added “I am extremely proud of all the members of 1st Frankby Greasby Scout Group and I am sure that we will raise a significant amount of money to help Matthew and we wish him all the very best.”
If you would like to help Matthew get to the World Transplant Games, he can be contacted on matthewdodd1@hotmail.co.uk