The charity, which funds research into muscle wasting disease Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), was set up by ex-Wigan Rugby player Andy Johnson and his wife Alex after their four-year-old son Jack was diagnosed with the rare disease. With no current cure or treatment available, Joining Jack's mission is to raise money to fund trials and research to find an effective set of treatments or cure for DMD.
So far, the campaign has attracted a large number of high profile supporters, including Tour de France and Olympic Gold medal winner Bradley Wiggins, as well as the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Ant & Dec, Andi Peters, the cast of Emmerdale, Niall from One Direction and Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood have leant their support and been pictured making the JJ Salute of two interlinked fingers.
Tannoy's donation to the charity will see their Emirates Dubai Rugby Seven team wear the company's logo on their training and promotional kit during the forthcoming Championships.
Andy Johnson has been able to call on friends who are rugby league legends and with a fantastic kit from O'Neills as well as support in the form of Bradley Wiggins as waterboy; the team mean business.
Lacing their boots for the occasion are Jason Robinson, Kris Radlinski, Sean Long Gary Connolly Martin Offiah, Steve Hampson, BJ Mather, Dennis Betts, Mick Cassidy, Paul Sculthorpe, Stephen Blakely, Adrian Morley, Brian Carney, Nick Wilkinson (Rugby Union), Andy Johnson (Captain).
Tannoy marketing manager Mark Flanagan said, "We are delighted to support the JoiningJack charity, and also support the team at the Emirates Dubai Rugby Sevens. It's a great cause and a great event, and we wish our team the very best of luck in every match. Go Team JJ!"
"We're really grateful to have the support of Tannoy," says Andy Johnson. "The whole point of taking part in this tournament is to raise awareness of this terrible condition. When we have a company like Tannoy behind us it means that we can be sure that our voice is heard. We want to make a difference to this generation of people living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy."
(Jim Evans)
