Former England rugby captain Lewis Moody commenced a 500-mile bike ride from the Newcastle Red Bulls stadium on Sunday, June 14, 2026, to raise awareness for Motor Neurone Disease after disclosing his own diagnosis.
The campaign proceeds alongside a separate marathon fundraiser by student Will Begy for the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation.
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Ride Details and Route
The 48-year-old former athlete is riding alongside friends, family, and over a dozen rugby players toward Rugby HQ in Twickenham.
The journey honors former Red Bulls player George "Doddie" Weir, who died from the degenerative neurological condition in 2022.
The Lewis Moody XV Challenge scheduled stops in Durham and Ripon Rugby Club during its opening phase.
The cycling team will visit five of Moody's former clubs, including Bath and the Leicester Tigers, before concluding the route on Thursday.
Moody's Message
"It's not a pleasant diagnosis, but you have to approach these things with a positive mindset," said Moody, according to the BBC.
The former captain emphasized that the community presence at the starting location provided significant momentum for the physical task ahead.
"Having the energy of people in Newcastle, all my former team mates, crew, I am just genuinely excited to get into it [the challenge]," said Moody, according to the BBC.
The event drew participation from Weir's family alongside local community members who are navigating similar medical diagnoses.
"Doddie would be so proud that we are all back here and still trying to find that cure for MND," said Kathy Weir, according to the BBC.
