England Rugby legend Moody to visit Ripon RUFC during fundraiser for MND research

The ex-England international and British & Irish Lion, who was diagnosed with the progressive neurological disorder last October, is leading ‘the Lewis XV’ on a 500-mile ride on behalf of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.

Over a seven-day period, Moody and his companions will cycle from Newcastle Red Bulls' Kingston Park home to the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, with leg one of the challenge finishing at Ripon's Mallorie Park Drive base.

The club plan to set up a finish line and organise a guard of honour comprised of junior players to welcome the cyclists, who will then be greeted by Blues president Keith Anderson before they dine alongside their support crew inside the Blues' clubhouse.

Proceedings - including a barbecue - will get underway at Mallorie Park at 3pm on Sunday June 14, with the riders expected to arrive later in the afternoon.

Joining Moody on leg one of the challenge will be former international team-mates and opponents, plus ex-Leicester Tigers colleagues, including Martin Johnson, Jason Robinson, Phil Vickery, Kenny Logan, Julian White, Tom Croft, Geordan Murphy, Martin Corry, Dan Hipkiss and Lee Mears. Dylan Moody (Lewis' son) is also due to be part of the peloton.

Speaking ahead of the challenge, Moody said: “When you get diagnosed with something like MND, you very quickly realise how important people are.

“This ride is about mates coming together, communities coming together, and hopefully showing people living with MND that they are not alone.

“This disease affects families everywhere and we need people to rally behind the MND community in the same way rugby people always rally behind each other.

“If people can donate, come out and support us along the route, or simply help spread the word, it genuinely makes a difference. We want this to feel like something the whole rugby community is part of.”

Funds raised will go to the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, which was founded by the Scottish rugby great and MND campaigner Doddie Weir, who passed away in 2022 at the age of 52 following a six-year battle with the disease.

On the same day, Ripon will also be hosting their annual fundraiser for Yorkshire Cancer Research, organised by Ronnie Cassells.

This year's event, which features a hog roast, will be hosted by Cassells, Mike Viner and Gail Squires, who is the wife of Peter Squires - the ex-England international and British Lion who played locally for both Ripon and Harrogate.

Ripon RUFC have already pledged a £500 donation to Weir's foundation - and another £500 to Yorkshire Cancer Research - and will be raffling each of the 500 miles that Moody will be cycling (at £2 per mile).

A number of local businesses have already provided raffle prizes, but the club are hopeful that others will join them in doing so. Anyone interested in donating a prize or supporting the event can email [email protected]

Alternatively, financial donations can be made via https://lewismoodyxv-cyclechallenge.com/individual-giving/ripon-rufc