Facebook is full of all kinds of Dolphins fans but the guys over at Fins Nation UK are really doing their bit to make the world a better place. Already boasting over 1,300 members this crazy bunch of guys are not just rabid Dolphins fans, they do their bit for Charity every year as well.
With charity raffles and events over the last three years the boys have already raised 0ver £20,000 for charity, with the most recent event garnering £1,1100 for NHS nurses. I’m sure that’s a cause we could all get behind with the current situation.
Not to be deterred by the COVID-19 pandemic, Wayne Collard and Martin Lyddon are embarking on an epic 160-mile charity walk to raise money for Breast Cancer UK, Dementia UK, and Help Harry Help.
Fins Nation UK
Group founder Wayne Collard said “It all started when I decided to create a fan event in London for the fins v saints game in London 2017. I wanted to do something for the fans were we could all meet up so I booked out the Watkins folly bar outside Wembley stadium not sure if anyone would turn up.
I created a Facebook group for it and thought if we were getting the fans together then why not try and do some good out of it. I posted a Brian Hartline jersey to his house in Ohio and Brian signed it and sent it back to me.
“We started trying to get more raffle prizes together to offer the fans a charity auction for the Dolphins’ cancer challenge charity and Great Ormond St Children’s Hospital. This is where I met Martin. I recieved many items donated, including a suitcase full from Florida. This is where martin offered to pick it up and bring it back for me, and we became best mates.
“since not sure how many would turn up at Wembley for our fan gathering I was amazed when the Watkins Folly was rammed with over 500 dolphins fans from all over the world. We had a total of 92 raffle prizes and raised over £2000 for both charities.
“From that event, I felt a need to unite fans and Fins nation UK fan club was created and we now have over 1300 members we offer merchandise and monthly autographed raffle items with all proceeds going to charity.
“Each year we hold a UK fan club meet in a different part of the UK so far we have visited bristol in 2018, Leeds in 2019, and this year we are meeting in Brighton. In 2018 martin walked from NFL HQ in Leicester square to our meet in bristol raising over £3000.
“This years’ charities were requested by our members Martin’s wife Kim is a breast cancer survivor so Breast Cancer UK is a close charity to us. Alan Watson in Scotland his wife is seriously ill with dementia so he asked me if we could help a Dementia charity.
“And we chose Help Harry Help Others after watching a tv programme and the important work they do as a cancer walk-in centre for anyone concerned with cancer not just patients but family members or friends.”
Times are tough for all of us at the moment, but if you can give a little it would really be much appreciated. And if you can’t give please send your encouragement as these two madmen begin their epic journey.
The boys are looking to raise £3,500 for the chosen charities with this walk, and expect to see a load of updates over the course of the six days from July 6th-11th. Culminating in the annual UK meet up which will be held in Brighton this year.
You couldn’t ask for two better guys to be running Fins Nation UK, and if you can help them and the great causes they are supporting as they help promote our fins family around the world it really would be wonderful. It’s a great group for all you Dolphins news, opinions, and just some great banter.
So donate, if you can, and join the Facebook group either way. Your life will be better for knowing these guys.
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