Northampton Saints legend and stuntman to play starring role at MND rowers’ charity dinner
He may be best known for his roles as a stunt double in the Harry Potter films and as a regular for Northampton Saints during the 1980s and 1990s but in June Martin Bayfield will take to the stage at a charity dinner to help support people with motor neurone disease.
Martin, who has been a keen supporter of the MND community after Scottish rugby legend Doddie Weir was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2017, will host a special event on June 13 organised by Northamptonshire businessman Matt Sirrell.
In December, Matt and three friends, known as Fourtitude, will row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua to raise money for the MND Association – the largest MND charity in the UK. Inspired by rugby league star Rob Burrow CBE, who died from MND in 2024, the money raised from the charity dinner will boost the team’s fundraising, helping to fund ground-breaking research and support for people living with MND and their families.
Matt, who runs MSL Logistics in Preston Deanery said: “We are thrilled Martin has agreed to host the dinner – it promises to be an incredible evening.
“This whole challenge is about people with MND and their families. It is a truly devastating disease and we can’t just sit back and do nothing. People with MND need our support right now and we are determined to help make it happen.”
Every day, six people are diagnosed with MND, a neurological disease which attacks the nerves which take messages to the muscles. It strips people of their independence including their voice and the ability to move. There is no cure.
MND Association Relationship Fundraiser, Roger Widdecombe, who is supporting Fourtitude with the team’s fundraising said: “What Matt and the team are doing is just incredible and we are so grateful for their support.
“For people living with MND, the charity dinner and the challenge itself, will make a huge difference – helping to raise awareness and vital funds to help get us closer to a cure. Every pound raised really matters.”
To purchase tickets for the dinner which will be held at Leicester Tiger’s Welford Road Stadium on 13 June email [email protected]. To donate, visit donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/fourtitude
For more information about MND and the MND Association visit: mndassociation.org