Len Johnrose Masquerade Ball

Blackburn Rovers 1988 – 1992

Lenny began his career at Blackburn Rovers as a young trainee before he was transferred to Hartlepool United. Most of his footballing years were then spent at Bury, Burnley and Swansea before he finally retired in 2004, having made 430 professional appearances and scored 50 goals, in a career spanning 16 years.

He then turned to teaching before he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in March 2017. There is no cure for MND, a debilitating condition which is fatal and can significantly shorten life expectancy, but Lenny has never felt sorry for himself, nor has he ever complained.

“I’ve not had a bad day. Not one. I’ve never once thought ‘Why me?’”
“It is what it is. It’s life and it’s how you deal with things.”

Lenny has written a book called “Finding A Way” published in 2020 to document his life, including living with MND, and he has established the Len Johnrose Trust to raise awareness and raise funds for future research into MND. Amongst the fundraising efforts has been a sporting dinner at Burnley FC, attended by a number of Lenny’s ex-colleagues from Blackburn Rovers, and a Veterans match, played at Bamber Bridge, between his own XI and a Swansea XI, which raised £10,000 for the Trust. Now he is trying to hold a fundraising Extravaganza at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, but, due to lockdown, the event has had to be cancelled twice.

The attached poster sets out the details and it is now hoped that it may finally be possible to hold the event on 11th September 2021. Please put this date in your diary. Based on the most recent government announcement, there may yet be restrictions on the holding of sizeable indoor events, so watch this space.

Lenny is just one of a number of high profile sportsmen currently suffering from MND, Doddy Weir (Scotland Rugby Union International) and Rob Burrows (England Rugby League International) being just two examples. All share one common attribute – their courage in the face of a hugely debilitating terminal disease – and they are all using this courage to raise awareness of the disease and raise funds for research designed to find a cure for the benefit of future generations.

Any way that you can help will be very gratefully received.

 

Individual tickets cost £100 and tables of 10 can be bought for £950 from [email protected]