Liam Moore has congratulated Martyn Clarke on "an amazing achievement" in completing seven Half Ironman Triathlons in seven days to raise money for the MND Association, inspired by Rob Burrow MBE.
Clarke, a lifelong supporter of the Wigan club and the sport of Rugby League in general, has been supported by a variety of personalities during the most gruelling week of his life, including Moore, his brother Aaron – who is also an RFL Match Official – and the Leigh Centurions Chairman Derek Beaumont, as well as the former Wigan and Great Britain full-back Steve Hampson.
Starting last Saturday (December 11), Martyn has swim 1.2 miles, cycled 56 miles, and run a half marathon every day – and he has already broken his fund-raising target of £17,777.
“I’ve known Martyn for a long time – since we were 11 or 12 and went to the same gym in Wigan,” said Moore, who has refereed the last two Challenge Cup Finals at Wembley.
“He’s a great bloke, and what he’s done has been incredible. Aaron and I just did the half marathon run on day six, and that was tough enough, finishing in the dark – hopefully we showed that referees can actually run!
“I quite enjoyed it actually, but Martyn’s done that seven times now, on the back of swims and runs. That’s tough, and shows fantastic commitment to supporting Rob Burrow and the MND Association.
“He’s already reached his target, which is great, but as we come close to Christmas I know every extra donation would make a big difference.”
Anyone who wants to show their appreciation for Martyn’s efforts, and to support Rob Burrow and the MND Association, can click here: Martyn Clarke is fundraising for Motor Neurone Disease Association.
Martyn had been fired into action by Kevin Sinfield’s amazing efforts last year when he ran seven marathons in as many days around the streets of Saddleworth and Leeds – which the Leeds Rhinos legend has followed up this year with an epic run from Leicester to Leeds, truly going The Extra Mile.
Martyn’s immediate response was to run 12 miles for 12 consecutive days around Wigan, Leigh and St Helens to raise £6,000 for the MND Association – but like Sinfield, he has gone to another level in 2022.
Liam Moore has also praised his refereeing colleague Joe Stearne, who is preparing for a gruelling challenge of his own in the New Year.
Joe, who made such a positive impression in a Sky Sports interview with Brian Carney discussing the alarming experience of being physically assaulted while refereeing a match last summer, is aiming to run from the Grand Final and World Cup Finals venue Old Trafford to his West Yorkshire roots on January 8 – to raise money for MacMillan Cancer Research.
Joe will be inspired by his partner Charlotte - who was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma last year and has since had the all clear.
"She’s been so strong, and that pure strength has inspired me for another challenge to try raise some much-needed funds for MacMillan to help support families who need them like we did,” he said.
“It’s going to be painful, but nothing like the pain which cancer patients go through every day.”
Liam Moore said: “Joe is taking on a tough challenge but all his refereeing colleagues are backing him to do it, for such a good cause. I hope Rugby League fans will support him as they have done Martyn Clarke.”
To support Joe, click here: justgiving.com/fundraising/oldtraffordtoossett.
To read more about his story, click his Our Voice interview here: Our Voice | Joe Stearne.
