Suffolk men cycling from Ipswich to Scotland to raise money for MND research
They're doing it in memory of Rugby player Doddie Weir
Last updated 12th Sep 2023
A group of men from Suffolk set off on a big challenge today, cycling 400 miles from Ipswich to Scotland in just four days.
They're doing it all to raise money and awareness for those affected by Motor Neuron Disease (MND) - in memory of Rugby player Doddie Weir, who died from the disease last year.
They will travel from Ipswich Rugby Club to Doddie’s home Club Melrose in Scotland, hoping to raise £400,000 along the way.
What is MND?
According to the NHS, MND "affects the brain and nerves. It causes weakness that gets worse over time.
"There's no cure for MND, but there are treatments to help reduce the impact it has on a person's daily life. Some people live with the condition for many years."
Symptoms of MND
- Early symptoms can include:
- Weakness in your ankle or leg – you might trip, or find it harder to climb stairs
- Slurred speech, which may develop into difficulty swallowing some foods
- Weak grip – you might drop things, or find it hard to open jars or do up buttons
- Muscle cramps and twitches
- Weight loss – your arms or leg muscles may have become thinner over time
- Difficulty stopping yourself from crying or laughing in inappropriate situations
The challenge is taking place under the 'ALL4MND' name - the charity project created by a group of old rugby boys a few Christmases ago.
Their website explains they were touched by "the stories of Doddie Weir, Rob Burrow, Ed Slater and their battles with MND. These guys are legends of the Rugby Field but more importantly, they are husbands, fathers, friends and team mates."
We spoke to Ian Masser, who is taking part:
"If you take someone like Rob Burrow or Ed Slater as an example... they've got kids, they're similar ages to a lot of the guys in the team.
"You take a lot of things for granted, I think when you're fit and healthy and you know life goes by at 100 miles an hour
"And I think it's meant we've all stopped and reflected on sort of how fortunate we all are.
"It's really connected with us that these people who are suffering with this terrible condition are in a very similar age and family set up to us.
"So I think that's been another motivating factor for us."
Ian told us this ride will push them to "our limits and down into dark places, but this is only a fraction of the suffering that those with MND face."
Growing support
The All4MND group have already raised over £120,000 and Ian says the continue to gain support from all over:
"Out of the rugby community, both at the grassroots level, with Ipswich Rugby Club who have been fantastic in their support... but also into the sort of the wider professional game.
"We've had videos of support from greats like Zinzan Brooke, Kenny Logan, John Bentley, we've got Freddie Burns actually agreeing to do one of the legs with us.
"It's a real testament to the guy - he just got in contact with us through all the stuff he'd seen on social media and said 'I'd like to do a leg with you guys'.
You can find out more about where the ALL 4 MND group is going on their adventure here.