Penning plays at Twickenham
17th April 2008
MP Mike Penning realises lifelong ambition of playing at Twickenham.
Hemel MP, Mike Penning had the opportunity to realise a lifelong ambition to play at Twickenham on Tuesday (14th April 2008).
Mike took part in a Commons & Lords RFC v Cystic Fibrosis Trust charity rugby match at the revered home of England rugby. The Commons & Lords team was captained by Rob Andrew – Director of Elite Rugby at the RFU – who played in his customary position of fly-half as he did in Will Carling’s England team.
Mike lined up with fellow MPs from all three major parties as well as a number of researchers and other parliamentary staff. In the event the Cystic Fibrosis team scored three tries to the MP’s one to win the match 17-7.
After the match Rob Andrew said: “We were delighted to host this match here at Twickenham to highlight the work of the CF Trust. The CF Trust does a fantastic job and it was a pleasure to play them today to raise the profile of this terrible disease."
Mike Penning added:
“It truly was a great honour to play at Twickenham – something I never imagined I would get a chance to do - and to be able to raise money for a worthwhile cause such as the Cystic Fibrosis Trust was a real bonus. It was hard work though and I’m beginning to think that its time to hang up my boots!”
The charity fund-raising match was in aid of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust which is the UK’s only national charity dealing with all aspects of Cystic Fibrosis (CF). It funds research to treat and cure CF and aims to ensure appropriate clinical care and support for people with Cystic Fibrosis.
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is the UK’s most common life-threatening inherited disease which is caused by a single defective gene. As a result, the internal organs, especially the lungs and digestive system, become clogged with thick sticky mucus resulting in chronic infections and inflammation in the lungs and difficulty digesting food.
There are over 8,000 people in the UK with Cystic Fibrosis.
Photo: Mike Penning lines up for the team photo of the Commons & Lords RFC at Twickenham.
