The All Roads to Rome cyclists who were pedalling recently in aid of the My Name’s Doddie Foundation may be taking a well-earned rest just now, but a group of fellow cyclists are on their way to Ireland in memory of rugby lover David Hill this week.
The CRY Cycle4David began on Saturday from Murrayfield and will culminate at Energia Park in Dublin - more commonly known as Donnybrook - on Saturday morning.
There, before the Guinness Men’s Six Nations clash later that day between Ireland and Scotland at the Aviva Stadium, Dáil and Seanad RFC, representing the Irish Parliament, and Scottish Parliament RFC will play their annual rugby fixture.
On March 19 two years ago, David Hill passed away whilst playing for the Scottish Parliament in the same game at the same venue. David played rugby for his local team Dumfries Saints and Dundee University, as well as the Scottish Parliament, over the years.
The 30-year-old parliamentary staffer died due to a previously undiagnosed cardiac condition and since then his family have been raising awareness for the great work that Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) do.
Last year, when Dáil and Seanad won the fixture at Peffermill in Edinburgh, the David Hill Memorial Quaich was presented to the victors for the first time.
And when it is played for this time around in Dublin it will be an extra special - and poignant day - because members of David’s family, his friends and his team mates will be back at Energia Park just short of two years after his tragic passing.
To mark the second anniversary, David’s father Rodger Hill, members of the family and friends are currently cycling the match ball for that match from Edinburgh to Dublin.
The overall challenge is 320 miles and the core Cycle4David team left the national stadium in the capital on Saturday following the presentation of the match ball by Scotland centurion Chris Paterson to Rodger.
Accompanied by The Rt Hon. Alison Johnstone MSP, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, they then cycled through Edinburgh calling at the Scottish Parliament where they met with other Scottish Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) families.
READ MORE: Scotland must learn from Rome collapse ahead of Dublin trip, says Gregor Townsend
“The route from Edinburgh to Dublin is allowing the Cycle4David team to call in at 11 Dumfries and Galloway secondary schools in the early part of this week to raise awareness of Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) and to raise funds and to promote upcoming cardiac screening events in Dumfries,” Rodger, who played rugby for Dumfries, Forrester and Royal High and used to go to lots of internationals with David, said.
Every week in the UK, around 12 young people - that is aged 35 and under - die suddenly from a previously diagnosed heart condition.
“Of those deaths, 80% will occur with no prior symptoms – which is why CRY is so committed to the importance of specialist cardiac screening.
“Each cardiac screening costs £65 and, to date, the David Hill Memorial Fund has raised over £40,000 which has allowed us to organise 400 free cardiac screenings in Dumfries in May 2024 and April 2025, with more screenings to follow.
“It is something I and so many other people are passionate about, so to be able to educate local youngsters in the area that David grew up in about this as part of our cycle means a lot.
“There has been great buy in from the local schools and the local community and, in fact, a number of schoolchildren will be cycling a small part of the route with us to show their support.
“In general, the support from the whole Scottish rugby community since David passed away has been brilliant and I must praise Scottish Rugby and Irish Rugby for all that they have done and continue to do.”
On Wednesday, Rodger and co will get on a ferry from Cairnryan to Belfast and they will then continue on their way to Dublin in time for Saturday morning’s match.
The Cycle4David team started out aiming to raise £9,000 and, at time of writing, have made it over that target.
So, what made Rodger decide to get on his bike rather than another type of fund raising?
“Well, I’ll be honest, I had not been on a bike for years before training started for this event, but when I saw the way Rob Wainright mobilised people to get to Rome in Doddie Weir’s memory, I thought it was a good challenge for us all and a good way to remember David,” Rodger stated.
“The impact of David's death was felt across his family, friends and colleagues. David was much-loved, at the time of his passing he was living his best life; he had a job he loved and was passionate about at the heart of Scottish politics and was enjoying all that life in Edinburgh had to offer.
“His life-long passion, however, was for rugby. Murrayfield was his spiritual home and he revelled in both the highs and lows supporting the Scotland team.
“I am sure there will be lots of emotions along the way this week and when we get to Dublin, but we want to raise as much money and awareness for CRY as we can while we cycle and remember the great person that David was.”
To donate to the CRY Cycle4David fund raiser, visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Cycle4David2024
Read the rules here