Rugby legend Lewis Moody arrives at Twickenham after 500 Mile challenge

RUGBY legend Lewis Moody arrived at Twickenham to a hero's welcome today (Saturday, June 20) after completing a gruelling 500-mile cycle challenge across England that has already raised more than £500,000 for motor neuron disease research.

The 71-cap former England captain and 2003 Rugby World Cup winner crossed the finish line at Allianz Stadium flanked by his wife Annie and sons Dylan and Ethan, who joined him on the week-long Lewis Moody XV Cycle Challenge sponsored by Gallagher.

Moody and a peloton of rugby legends rolled into the home of English rugby after seven days and more than 500 miles on the road, greeted by supporters, members of the MND community, family, friends and rugby fans who lined the finish to celebrate an extraordinary fundraising effort inspired by the fight against MND.

The challenge, which continues to attract donations, was launched following Moody's diagnosis last year and inspired by the legacy of former Scotland international Doddie Weir, whose tireless campaigning transformed the fight against the disease before his death in 2022.

The fundraisers have smashed through the £500,000 mark for My Name'5 Doddie Foundation – the charity established by Weir following his own diagnosis – with organisers urging supporters to continue donating to help accelerate the search for effective treatments and a cure.

Speaking after completing the challenge, Moody said: "Throughout this ride, we've met so many people living with motor neuron disease at different stages of progression, and for me and my family to see that is hard, but you have to front up to the reality of the disease, because it is a difficult disease.

"But there is hope in this space now, because of the work Doddie did, because of the work Rob Burrow did, and because of the work I want to do, but hope is meaningless without action, and that's why we're here, and that's why we need everybody from all walks of life to front up too.

"I don't want to be the person that everybody is here for – because of my diagnosis – but strange though it sounds, it is a privilege to be in this position.

"We are here to raise as much money as possible to make as big a difference as possible and we'll do that through My Name'5 Doddie Foundation."

The challenge began last weekend at Newcastle Red Bulls – the former club of Doddie Weir – and took riders through Ripon, Worksop, Oakham, Leicester, Worcester, Bath and Bracknell before reaching Twickenham.

Along the way, Moody and his fellow cyclists were welcomed by thousands of supporters and visited some of rugby's most iconic venues and places close to the ex England star, including Oakham School, where he returned to the place where his rugby journey began and fought back tears as his Oakham pupil and goddaughter Renee Lloyd told him: "We are all with you every step of the way."

The school also honoured Moody's contribution to the game by naming its historic First XV pitch after him, while supporters at Leicester Tigers' Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium turned out in force to welcome home one of the club's greatest-ever players.

Throughout the week, riders met families affected by motor neuron disease and people living with the condition, reinforcing the urgent need to fund research and maintain momentum in the search for a cure.

Day six of the ride saw Lewis reunite on the road with fellow World Cup winning legends Martin Johnson and Jonny Wilkinson, while other stars including Jason Robinson, Martin Corry, Tom Croft, Ben Kay, Joe Worsley, Ben Youngs and a host of former teammates and friends also took part throughout the week. Doddie's wife Kathy and son Hamish also rode sections of the route.

Reflecting on the support received throughout the week, Moody said: "It's meant the world to me to see the level of support we've had all along the route.

"When you're part of a team, it's about standing up for each other, and whilst it's a tough reason for us all to come together – my diagnosis – they're desperate to help me, my family, and the Foundation get to where we need to.

"It's been a joy to come together with all my teammates – we don't get to do it very often – and it's been fantastic to all come together to try and help us tackle motor neuron disease."

Since its formation, My Name'5 Doddie Foundation has committed more than £23.5 million towards research into effective treatments and a cure for MND.

Paul Thompson, Director of Fundraising at My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, said: "For Lewis, his family, and the whole team to complete this ride at Twickenham after more than 500 miles on the road is a truly special moment. Raising more than £500,000 is an extraordinary achievement and a testament to the determination of everyone involved and the generosity of supporters across the country.

"Most importantly, this challenge has helped us to continue to shine a spotlight on motor neuron disease and the urgent need to fund research into effective treatments and a cure. Donations are still coming in, and every pound raised will help us continue the work started by Doddie and bring hope to people living with MND and their families."

Title partner Gallagher supported the challenge alongside a number of corporate partners from across sport and business. The ride was also supported by Y.CO – Official Partner of the Challenge; Switch Car Rental – Official Vehicle Partner; Britt Security Supplies – Official Security Partner; Castore – Official Sportswear Partner; Schoffel – Official Clothing Partner; Optimum Nutrition – Official Nutrition Partner; and TNT Sports.

For more information, or to donate, visit lewismoodyxv-cyclechallenge.com or myname5doddie.co.uk.