Fundraising trio hail rugby as a lifeline

10 Feb 2026

Three sisters who describe rugby as a “lifeline when we needed it most,” are giving back to a charity that meant so much to them.

Twins, Laura and Clare Robb (35) and their younger sister Louise (32) all play for the Irvine club in North Ayrshire in Arnold Clark West League Division 2.

Laura plays on the wing and Clare and Louise in the back row.

“I suppose we all came to rugby quite late,” explained Clare. “I was watching the World Cup on the TV a couple of years ago and I thought I’d like to give rugby a go.

“I started at Paisley. I’d never really played a team sport before, but I really enjoy it, the training and just getting better. I feel it’s a good outlet, especially as it’s physical.”

Clare’s twin, Laura, got involved at Paisley, too, initially as a first-aider but was then keen to step onto the pitch as a player, and it wasn’t long before younger sister Louise, who works for Renfrewshire council, also caught the bug.

Sadly, their step-dad, William Hendry, lost his six year battle against Motor Neurone Disease in November 2024 and Clare noted how warmly he was welcomed when he spectated at their games.

“He was a football fan, but he was really taken by how friendly grassroots rugby was and he was a huge admirer of Doddie Weir,” she said.

Clare, a pharmacist, originally from Elderslie, went on: “Our stepdad was incredibly grateful for the work that Doddie did to raise awareness about MND. Both Doddie and our stepdad were incredibly strong and never lost hope of finding a cure.”

Clare’s twin, Laura, a paramedic, decided to run every day in January around Glasgow to support Doddie Aid, part of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, and by the end of the month she had clocked up more than 150 miles.

She pounded the pavements wearing a different rugby club beanie on each day . . . some 35 different hats, with her sisters joining her when they could and also sourcing the beanies.

Laura’s Just Giving page is still active. In addition to Doddie Aid, she is also raising funds for St Vincent’s Hospice in Johnstone, Renfrewshire for whom she will run the Leeds marathon in May. St Vincent’s provided care for her stepdad.

You can support Laura’s efforts via this link: https://www.justgiving.com/page/laura-robb-90?utm_medium=FA&utm_source=CL

All three sisters will be the Calcutta Cup game this Saturday, Laura’s ticket provided by Scottish Rugby, as a thank you for her care and dedication.

Clare added: “Rugby really was a lifeline for us when we needed it most, particularly when we lost our stepdad.

“It’s been a much needed support to my mum, Lorraine, as well as she enjoys coming to watch us play every week.

“Finding rugby has not only been a great way of getting involved in sport, but it’s also given us a whole new community of friends and a fantastic support network, particularly from the teams at Irvine and Paisley where we started.”