Friends of former Dubai Hurricanes rugby player Mothana Khafaji plan ‘Row for Moe’ fundraiser
24-hour event being held to recover costs of late Dubai Hurricanes rugby player’s medical treatment
Dubai: Friends of former Dubai Hurricanes rugby player Mothana Khafaji, who died of cancer two weeks ago, will now row continuously for 24 hours in a bid to cover the cost of his outstanding medical bills.
James Elliot-Square and Katie Pattison-Hart – whose 2011 row across the Atlantic Ocean broke two world records – will row in one-hour shifts at The Shack, Kite Surf Beach, Jumeirah, from April 19 to 20. Any funds they raise above and beyond the value of the outstanding medical bills will go to a UAE cancer charity.
“I feel very lucky to be healthy enough to be able to do this training,” said Hart, whose punishing fitness regime has included five-hour rowing sessions kicking off at 4am and covering almost 62,000 metres. “It saddens me that others have been denied their health.”
Khafaji moved from Iraq to South Africa and then to Dubai in 2002, where he quickly found friends at Dubai Hurricanes. He returned to Iraq in 2011 but, after being diagnosed with colon cancer last year, he headed to Jordan and eventually the US for treatment. He lost his fight against the disease on March 24, in Colorado.
For those wishing to get involved, in the run-up to the event, a short competition is being held at three Dubai gyms — Fidelity Gym, The Shack and The Engine Room. The Dh100 entry fee will count as a donation to the ‘Row for Moe’ appeal.
“Katie and I are even more determined to carry on with this 24-hour row in Moe’s memory,” said Elliot-Square. “We will fight even harder for the 24 hours and push ourselves to our limits. With the news of Moe’s death, there is even more reason to come to The Shack. Come to support us, but also to show your support for Moe and all that he so bravely endured. His spirit will be with us for sure.”
