Awesome Foursome’s Leg Up For Shine Charity

Four sports photographers are braving the raw winds of a Welsh winter to raise funds and awareness for the spina bifida charity Shine and its work across the country.

The campaign – #GetShorty2 – means the fearless foursome are baring their legs to the elements while snapping away at rugby matches throughout the coldest months of the year.

Photographers, Neil Roberts (Ebbw Vale RFC and Jesters Rugby) and Simon Latham (Newport RFC and Knights Rugby) have been joined by Dan Minto (Carmarthen Quins) and Alan Skeates (RGC1404) in wearing shorts to each of the Welsh Rugby Union Indigo Group Premiership games they are covering.

Roberts said: “During the 18/19 season we wore shorts to each game we covered and raised £1,300 for prostate cancer.

“We decided to do it all again as the winter weather was on the mild side. So, it would be good to experience some proper cold winter weather.

“We decided to support Shine as I have seen the good work the charity does to support good family friends of mine whose eight-year-old daughter Sara has spina bifida.

“The #GetShorty2 challenge began on the first day of the 19/20 Premiership season and will end when the referees blows their whistles at the end of the final game of the season.

“I hope many players and supporters of the Indigo Group Premierships clubs will see us at games and wonder why we are wearing shorts and will support us in our fundraising. If you see us, please come and chat to us so we can tell you more.”

Sara is able to perform as a gymnast and is a member of Valleys Gymnastics Disability Squad.

Her teammate is multi-gold medal winning GB Special Olympian Bethany Paull – a triple champion at last year’s Special Olympics.

Father of Sara, Paul Walbyoff said: “I was so pleased when Neil told me #GetShorty2 would be for Shine.

“I don’t envy Neil and his fellow team members in wearing shorts to games. As an Ebbw Vale supporter for many years I know how cold it can get at Eugene Cross Park so I wish them good luck.

“Many people may not have heard of Shine so it’s great that not only will this be a fundraiser, it will also be a great opportunity to raise awareness of the work and support Shine provides to Sara, myself, my wife Liz and our wider family.”

Some of the work Shine undertakes has included lobbying Parliament to fortify flour with Folic Acid.

Paul added: “Shine Cymru Ser Bach (Little Stars) group also hold regular days out so we get to meet up with other parents to share experiences and Sara is able to meet up with other children and form friendships and talk about their conditions and again share experiences.

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“Liz and myself encourage Sara to be active and not let her condition stop her from achieving.

“Since her time being a member of the gymnastics squad and competing in competitions, her confidence has grown.”

Shine provides specialist support from before birth and throughout the life of anyone living with neural tube defects such as spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus, as well as to parents, families, carers and professional care staff.

The #GetShorty2 Just Giving page is up and running and can be found at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/getshorty2

More information on the work Shine does can be found by logging on to the website https://www.shinecharity.org.uk/ along with their Twitter account @shineukcharity and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ShineUKCharity