Ripon RUFC provide Lewis Moody XV Cycle Challenge riders with warmest of welcomes
Lewis Moody and his team of fellow rugby legends received the warmest of Yorkshire welcomes from Ripon RUFC when they arrived in the city during their gruelling charity cycling challenge.
The star-studded peloton sped into the club’s Mallorie Park Drive home at the end of the first day of a 505-mile ride that will take them from Newcastle to Twickenham, London in aid of Motor Neurone Disease (MND) research.
Ex-England international and British & Irish Lion Moody, who was diagnosed with the progressive neurological disorder last October, is leading the Lewis Moody XV Cycle Challenge on behalf of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.
Stage one of the epic seven-day event, which began at Newcastle Red Bulls’ Kingston Park, finished in Ripon and saw the riders greeted with a guard of honour comprised of junior Blues players, then welcomed by club president Keith Anderson.
Among Moody’s team of companions on Sunday were England’s 2003 World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson and a host of fellow big-name ex players including Jason Robinson, Kenny Logan and Tom Croft.
And Johnson, a man famous for his no-nonsense approach, admitted to being blown away by the reception he and his fellow cyclist received at Ripon RUFC, remarking that he “couldn’t believe” the greeting the peloton got when they reached the club.
Moody himself said: “We've got a bonkers group of people on this ride with me and, despite everything, there were plenty of reasons to smile on Sunday.
"It was amazing to see such a reception and a huge thank you to everyone who came out to support us. It means a huge amount to all of us and we hope to see as many people as possible along the route.
"There's still a huge amount of work to be done when it comes to MND. That's why we're doing this ride – to raise as much money and awareness as possible.
"MND is a global issue. It's not confined to rugby and we want to bring as many people as possible into this cause because every pound raised helps drive progress.
"There are a million ways people can help – come out and support the riders, spread the word, or dig deep and donate. MND is not incurable, it's underfunded, and every pound raised pushes us closer to our goal."
With the sun shining on Sunday afternoon, Ripon RUFC was packed with members, families and supporters, who made plenty of noise and created quite the atmosphere as they cheered the riders across the stage one finish line.
“It turned into a brilliant afternoon for everyone involved,” said a club spokesperson. “Families enjoyed a barbecue and the kids made the most of free bouncy castles from Tilly’s Tumbles.
"Thanks to the generosity of local businesses, we held a big raffle which helped us raise nearly £3,000 for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.
"We were also pleased to be hosting a Yorkshire Cancer Research fundraiser organised by Ronnie Cassells on the same day, which helped bring even more people down and added to the atmosphere.
“After grabbing a quick drink, the riders spent plenty of time with people around the club, signing shirts, posing for photos and chatting with supporters. It meant a lot, inspiring the younger players, and created some great memories.”
Ripon RUFC chairman Andy Bruce added: “Sunday was a very special day for everyone connected with the club. To see so many people come together to support such a fantastic cause and give the Lewis Moody XV Cycle Challenge such an incredible welcome made me immensely proud.
“The atmosphere throughout the afternoon was brilliant and it really showed what a great club we have here at Ripon. From the volunteers and sponsors to the players, members and wider community, everyone played their part.
“The riders were fantastic with the crowd and especially the children, and the fact we were able to raise nearly £3,000 for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation makes the day even more memorable.
“Rugby clubs are at the heart of their communities and Sunday showed exactly what Ripon Rugby Club is all about.”
Since its inception, 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 following a six-year battle with the disease – has committed more than £23.5m towards research into effective treatments and a cure for MND.
And, as the riders crossed the stage one finish line in Ripon, the Lewis Moody XV Cycle Challenge had raised in excess of £200,000 already.