Rugby club’s Pipe & Glass Day raises £10,000 for foundation

The Noah Jordan Foundation has confirmed that more than £10,000 was raised during the special Pipe & Glass Day recently held at Driffield RUFC.

The Cornwall-based mitochondrial disease charity was nominated by the family of Charlie Dodds and chosen as the Kelleythorpe club’s president’s charity of the year following Charlie’s diagnosis with POLG mitochondrial disease in July 2025.

As reported in the Wolds Weekly, the event saw around 150 guests attend a charity lunch, with more than 200 people enjoying the day across the match, clubhouse and Founders Bar.

Guests were treated to a dining experience from Michelin-starred chef James Mackenzie, chef and owner of The Pipe & Glass in South Dalton, alongside an afternoon of rugby, sunshine and Yorkshire hospitality.

“It is a great privilege to use our club as a vehicle to raise money for such a good cause and one that is so close to our hearts,” said Andrew Chapman, president of Driffield RUFC.

“Thank you to James Mackenzie and everyone that helped to make it such a special day.”

Through their Cure for Charlie campaign, the Dodds family are working with The Noah Jordan Foundation to raise awareness and accelerate research into POLG mitochondrial disease, with the ultimate aim of finding effective treatments and a cure.

“We are incredibly grateful to everyone at Driffield Rugby Club for raising £10,000 for The Noah Jordan Foundation,” said Harrison and Ellie Dodds, Charlie’s parents.

“The Foundation is one of Charlie’s chosen charities, and the support Charlie and our family have received from the Driffield community has been incredible.

“We can’t thank the club, its members, supporters and everyone who donated enough.

“Every pound raised helps drive vital POLG research forward and gives families like ours hope for the future.”

The Noah Jordan Foundation was established in memory of Noah, who died aged just nine months in 2024 from POLG mitochondrial disease.

The charity funds research into paediatric mitochondrial disease, raises awareness and supports families across the UK affected by these devastating conditions.

The Foundation is currently funding a PhD within the Mitochondrial Research Group at Newcastle University and is working towards funding further research into POLG mitochondrial disease.

“We are incredibly grateful to everyone at Driffield Rugby Club for supporting Charlie and his family and raising more than £10,000 for The Noah Jordan Foundation,” said Ben Jordan, founder of the charity and Noah’s father.

“Thank you to everyone who made this possible, and to James Mackenzie and The Pipe & Glass for helping make the day so special.

“When Noah died, I made him a promise that the impact I would have on these diseases in my lifetime, for other children, would be his legacy.

“I will not let him down. That promise is for children like Charlie. It is for his mum and dad, who I am proud to call friends, and every family facing the devastating reality of this disease.

“We know what it feels like to be told there is no treatment and no cure for your child.

“We know why research cannot wait. Charlie’s family are turning their love for their son into a determination to fight for a brighter future, and we are proud to stand alongside them.

“Every pound raised helps us fund the research that could give children and families like theirs the future they deserve.

“We couldn’t save Noah, but together we can change the future for other children like Charlie.

“Thank you to everyone at Driffield for helping us keep the promise I made to my little boy.”