For the second year running, Hemel Hempstead MP, Mike Penning has played for the Commons & Lords RUFC at Twickenham in a charity fundraiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
The Commons & Lords team was captained by former England fly-half and Director of Elite Rugby at the RFU, Rob Andrew. Their opponents was a Cystic Fibrosis Team captained by GMTV presenter Ben Shephard. In the event the CFT team won by 34 points to 22.
Mike said:
“I was over the moon to be invited back to play at Twickenham. I know I commented after last year’s match that it might be time for me to hang up my boots….but the lure of being invited to play at Twickenham put paid to that!
“Is a chance of a lifetime for any rugby fan and to be able to raise money for such a worthwhile cause at the same time is a real bonus.”
Through personal donations and sponsorship, the event raised £20,000 which the Cystic Fibrosis Trust will put towards crucial gene therapy trials at London’s Brompton Hospital which it is hoped will make an impact on the successful treatment of cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis is the UK's most common life-threatening inherited disease and sufferers currently have an average life expectancy of only 31.
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