Rugby Community Supports Lewis Moody's Charity Ride

The rugby community rallied behind former England captain Lewis Moody as he prepared for his 500-mile charity cycle challenge aimed at raising funds for motor neurone disease (MND) research. On June 9, 2026, it was announced that Kathy Weir and her son Hamish, the family of the late Scottish rugby legend Doddie Weir, would join Moody on this demanding journey. The ride, which features participants from various rugby backgrounds, symbolized a collective effort in the fight against MND, a disease that claimed Doddie Weir's life in 2022.

Moody, who revealed his own MND diagnosis last year, expressed that having Weir’s family cycle alongside him is "incredibly powerful" and represents a continuation of Weir's legacy in the struggle against the disease. The seven-day ride, named the Lewis Moody XV Ride and sponsored by Gallagher, begins on June 14 in Newcastle and culminates at Twickenham on June 20, prior to the Gallagher Premiership final.

On the ride, Moody will be accompanied by other former rugby stars, such as Martin Johnson and Jonny Wilkinson, and will traverse several key cities in rugby history, including Ripon, Worcester, and Bath, before arriving at Allianz Stadium. Notably, the route connects to several locations significant to Moody's personal rugby journey, allowing him to showcase the communities and teams that shaped his life.

Among the emotional highlights of the ride will be a return to Oakham School, where Moody spent his teenage years. "It feels incredibly important to me that the ride passes through places that shaped my life," Moody remarked. His family will also join him, marking a poignant moment that illustrates the unity and strength found within the sport's community.

Through his initiative, Moody aims not just to raise funds, but to inspire others facing the challenges of MND. "We’re still fighting, still driving awareness...This ride is about mates coming together, showing people living with MND that they are not alone," he stated.

The event serves to honor Doddie Weir’s legacy and continues the work of the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, which has devoted substantial resources towards finding a cure for MND since being founded in 2017. Paul Thompson, the Foundation's Director of Fundraising, highlighted Moody's courage and influence, stating that this ride is about more than rugby, emphasizing friendship, resilience, and community.

Participants are encouraged to donate and support the ride, engaging both the rugby community and the wider public in raising awareness and funds for MND research.