Doddie Weir’s Family Joins Lewis Moody in 500-Mile Charity Ride for MND Research
Former England captain Lewis Moody is set to embark on a 500-mile charity cycle challenge from Newcastle to Twickenham, joined by the family of late Scottish rugby legend Doddie Weir to raise funds for Motor Neuron Disease (MND) research, according to multiple confirmed reports.
Key Participants and Route Details
Moody’s 7-day ride, organized by the Lewis Moody XV Ride and sponsored by Gallagher, will begin on Sunday, 14 June, at Newcastle Red Bulls—Weir’s former club—and conclude at Twickenham Stadium on 20 June, ahead of the Gallagher PREM final. Weir’s wife, Kathy, and son, Hamish, will join Moody, his wife Annie, and children Dylan and Ethan, alongside rugby stars including Martin Johnson, Jonny Wilkinson, and Jason Robinson, as confirmed by Moody’s official website.
The route traverses key locations in Moody’s rugby career, including Leicester Tigers, Bath Rugby, and Bracknell RFC, with a notable stop at Oakham School on day three, where Moody studied before his 2003 Rugby World Cup triumph. The journey also includes stops at former clubs and communities tied to Moody’s career, highlighting the personal significance of the route.
Mood’s Motivation and Legacy
Moody, who revealed his MND diagnosis in 2023, emphasized the emotional weight of the challenge, stating, “Having Kathy and Hamish with us feels incredibly poignant and powerful.” He credited Weir, who died of MND in 2022, for “changing the conversation around the disease” and described the ride as a continuation of Weir’s “unbelievable courage, humour, and determination.”
The event aligns with Moody’s support for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, established by Weir in 2017. The charity has raised over £23.5 million for MND research, according to its official website. Paul Thompson, Director of Fundraising at the foundation, praised Moody’s “courage and leadership,” noting the ride’s focus on “friendship, family, and communities coming together.”
Corporate and Rugby Support
The challenge has attracted corporate sponsors, including Gallagher Insurance, Castore, and Optimum Nutrition, as well as former England internationals such as Ben Kay, Danny Care, and Julian White. Over 30 rugby stars are expected to participate across different stages of the route, according to the Lewis Moody XV Ride website.
Moody described the ride as “bigger than sport,” emphasizing its role in showing “the MND community that we’re still fighting.” He called for public support, stating, “Every pound raised will help us accelerate research toward a cure.”
How to Support the Cause
Donations can be made via the official Lewis Moody XV Ride website, lewismoodyxv-cyclechallenge.com. The event also encourages public engagement along the route, with updates and details available through the foundation’s social media channels.
The ride underscores the intersection of athletic legacy and humanitarian effort, with Moody and Weir’s families at its heart. As the challenge progresses, it aims to amplify global awareness of MND while honoring the enduring impact of those affected by the disease.