Joining Jack thrilled to return to Dubai Rugby Sevens

This content was originally posted in 7DAYS UAE website at: Joining Jack thrilled to return to Dubai Rugby Sevens Dubai has always been a special place for former Wigan winger Andy Johnson. It’s where his wedding was held back in 2007 and he has been a regular visitor ever since. This week Johnson returns to Dubai alongside a host of rugby greats to play in the International Vets event, but more importantly, he hopes to raise awareness for Duchenne muscular dystrophy research. Johnson’s son, Jack, was diagnosed with the degenerative muscle disease back in 2011, and since that moment the former rugby league ace has worked tirelessly to raise funds and awareness of Duchenne. “The amount we’ve raised so far is staggering, it’s in excess of $2.2 million,” Johnson told 7DAYS. “We’re really pleased that the money is going to the right place as well, as I think the research is at the point now where there will be treatments going forward for Jack.” In the years since the Joining Jack charity was established, Johnson has received great support from the wider rugby community. Former Wigan teammate Andy Farrell has been a long-time supporter and his son, Owen, will always celebrate scoring points for Saracens or England by linking his fingers together in a JJ salute. Both will be in Dubai representing the Joining Jack side at the Dubai Rugby Sevens this weekend. And Johnson is taken aback by how much support he has received from the rugby community. “The boys are on the phone on a weekly basis asking what’s next, so I’m very grateful for that,” said Johnson. “Guys like Andrew Farrell and Jason Robinson, who I played alongside, have been incredibly supportive and now it’s gone beyond rugby. “We have a Wigan 10k which gets around 3,500 runners so we like to put on events people want to be a part of.” Johnson will captain the Joining Jack legends team in Dubai for a fourth year and he is hoping it will be another successful year both on and off the field. “To raise Dhs340,000 last year was a real achievement, it enabled us to make a huge difference in our race to find a treatment for Duchenne,” added Johnson. “We’ve always received so much support in Dubai and we’ve got some fantastic events lined up so it is all looking very good.” Read the original story at: Joining Jack thrilled to return to Dubai Rugby Sevens