The former England rugby captain was diagnosed with motor neurone disease last year
Former England rugby captain Lewis Moody has announced that he will take on a 500-mile cycling challenge this summer to raise funds and awareness for the fight against motor neurone disease (MND).
The 47-year-old was diagnosed with MND in September last year after noticing weakness in his shoulder while exercising in the gym. He went public with his diagnosis the following month, admitting that it had come as a “huge shock” to him and his family, but vowed to “continue to embrace life” living with the disease.
The life-limiting neurological condition affects motor nerves in the brain and spinal cord, causing muscle weakness, stiffness and paralysis and affecting a person’s ability to walk, talk, swallow and breathe as it progresses. While treatment can slow the progress of the disease, there is currently no cure, and it claims the lives of over half of those with the condition within two years of diagnosis.
JOIN OUR WALES RUGBY FACEBOOK PAGE Latest news, analysis and much more
In recent years, MND has claimed the lives of rugby league icon Rob Burrow and former Scotland and British & Irish Lions star Doddie Weir, and Moody has announced that he will take on a huge challenge this summer in aid of the latter’s charity, the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation (MNDF).
The Lewis Moody & Friends Cycle Challenge will see the 2003 Rugby World Cup winner take on a seven-day cycle challenge, starting from Newcastle Red Bulls’ stadium Kingston Park on June 14 and ending at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on June 20, to deliver the match ball for the PREM Rugby Final.
The route will also pass through several locations that have shaped Moody’s life and career, including Welford Road, the home of Leicester Tigers, where Moody won seven league titles and two European Cups.
He will be joined by a host of rugby greats – including Phil Vickery, Jonny Wilkinson, Mike Tindall, Ben Kay, Kenny Logan, Ben Youngs and Danny Care – as well as close friends and family, including his teenage sons Dylan and Ethan.
MNDF has committed more than £23.5 million to MND research programmes and provided more than £2 million in direct support to people living with the disease, and the charity’s work has inspired Moody to take on the huge challenge despite living with the disease himself.
“Since retiring from playing in 2012, I’ve taken on a fundraising challenge every year, and I’m determined to do the same in 2026, despite living with MND,” he said.
“I don’t know how many more opportunities I’ll have to push myself in this way, which is why taking on this 500-mile cycling challenge now feels so important as I look to support the fight against the disease.
“But this is about far more than the miles. Like so much of life, it’s about people – mates coming together, supporting each other, finding strength in camaraderie, and really hoping we can make a difference,” Moody added.
“Above all, it’s about using that energy, and the platform I’m fortunate to have, to make as big an impact as possible for everyone living with MND – raising vital funds for the MNDF, accelerating progress, and helping drive the change and outcomes this community so urgently needs.
“I want to do everything in my power to make a difference, building on the work of giants who have gone before me.”
Follow all of our channels to ensure you stay up to date with the latest Welsh rugby news. Sign up to our free daily newsletter here and our WhatsApp channel here for all the breaking news.
Nicola Roseman, CEO of My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, said: “We are incredibly proud that Lewis has chosen to support My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. His courage in taking on this challenge while living with MND is testament to him.
“Lewis embodies the same spirit that Doddie showed every single day – a recognition of MND, but a refusal to let the diagnosis define you, and a determination to use your platform to change the outlook for everyone affected by this disease.
“The Lewis Moody & Friends Cycle Challenge has the potential to be an incredible moment for MND fundraising and awareness. Funding will go directly towards research that is bringing us closer to effective treatments and, ultimately, a cure,” she added.
“We are deeply grateful to Lewis, his family, and every one of The Lewis XV for supporting our vision of a world free of MND.”
You can donate in aid of the The Lewis Moody & Friends Cycle Challenge here, and find out more about the work of MNDF here.