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Robbie Doyle celebrates his 30th in aid of charity
It's my party

Wicklow footballer donates 30th birthday party to charity

Robbie Doyle celebrates his birthday in a unique and brave way – by giving it to others.

WHILE SOME PEOPLE want their birthdays to be all about them, former Blackburn Rovers footballer Robbie Doyle is thinking of others.

Celebrating his birthday in a unique way tomorrow night, Doyle is donating his birthday party to charity.  He hopes to raise money for the Bray Cancer Society and Michael Tiron, a young boy with cerebral palsy.

Speaking to TheJournal.ie Robbie Doyle, who also played for Bohemians and Bray Wanderers, said he first came up with the idea a few years ago after his brother died of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS). Every year since, he has tried his best to organise a fund-raising night for his birthday.

“I said this year that I would put it on for Bray Cancer Support as they are close to home here. You can go out anytime for your birthday and have the odd drink and do the same as everyone else, so I might as well do something different,” said Doyle.

Doyle also had a unique way of inviting his guests – over YouTube. “The YouTube video came about when my friend who owns Olive Media said he would make a YouTube invite for the night. The response it has been getting is great – over 1200 hits so far”.

The ‘Lets Make a Difference’ charity night is just the latest birthday he has ‘donated’ to charity. “The first charity night I did after my brother died we raised enough money to get 15 new defibrillators so it all kicked off from there really,” he said.

The charity night also aims to raise money for Michael Tiron, who needs €60,000 for a groundbreaking surgery that is only available in the US.

“I read about him in the local paper and I said to myself that I would love to help him out. He said he loved to play football and with my background in the sport obviously my heart went out to him,” said Doyle.

When asked whether he was worried about random people turning up to his birthday party Doyle said “No – the more awareness the better. I am more taken aback with the amount of people that said they are going to turn up – it’s turning out bigger than what I expected”.

The birthday party takes place on Saturday 14 April in The Martello in Bray. The night will have music from bands such as Big September, Empire Saints, The Shoos, Genuine Draft and Colm Lynch. There will also be a big prize raffle.

(Via YouTube/)

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