Unless you've been hiding under a mountain of festive wrapping paper, you will know that last night saw Ben Stokes awarded with Sports Personality of the Year for 2019 but it was ex-rugby player Doddie Weir who really stole the show with his moving acceptance speech for the Helen Rollason Award.

For those who haven't heard of Doddie before, he is a legendary Scottish rugby union player who received the devastating diagnosis of motor neurone disease (MND) in 2016. Doddie is now carrying out amazing work through his charity, the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation that works to help research into this cruel disease and improve the lives of sufferers.

So, what does this have to do with 2 Circles?

We are incredibly proud to be sponsoring another inspirational character, former SAS soldier and conflict negotiator (plus many more incredible accolades), John Davidson, as he takes on the world's toughest row. John is taking part in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic challenge and set off from La Gomera in the Canaries last week, from where he will row the 3,000 miles to Antigua: solo. He is doing this to raise awareness and money for Motor Neurone Disease and his good friend Doddie Weir. John is 56 years old and a father of four and has never rowed a boat before in his life!

We were very grateful to welcome John to our Head Office a few weeks ago where he gave a moving and motivating talk to us all on the challenges he has overcome and the sheer brutality of the Atlantic row he is currently undertaking.

You can track John's progress here: https://www.taliskerwhiskyatlanticchallenge.com/

If you'd like to donate to John's fundraising page, you can do so here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/madgiraffeatlanticrow

Thanks for taking the time to read this. Everyone at 2 Circles wishes you a Merry Festive Season and Prosperous New Year.