On Monday 8 August, Ed Slater and a group of current and former rugby players will set off on a 350-mile cycle ride to raise awareness and funds for the 4Ed campaign.

Following the announcement that Ed has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND), Gloucester Rugby and the 34-year-old have set up the 4Ed campaign, which will initially work to raise awareness of Ed’s diagnosis and generate funds for his treatment and support of his young family.

The 4Ed campaign will start with a 350-mile cycle from Gloucester’s Kingsholm Stadium to Leicester’s Welford Road Mattioli Woods, where the lock spent seven years - two as captain. After an overnight stay, the group will head off to Milton Keynes, Ed’s hometown, to visit his first club - Milton Keynes RFC. Following a refuel, the cyclists will then set off for Twickenham Stadium, arriving on Tuesday 9 August before heading back to Gloucester on Wednesday 10.

Ed will be joined by Lewis Ludow, Fraser Balmain and Billy Twelvetrees, as well as former Gloucester Rugby players Alex Brown, Charlie Sharples and Jim Hamilton. Ed’s close friend, Joe Gorman, as well as brother Andy Slater will also join the group alongside Tommy Turner from former Nottingham RFC teammate and current Gloucester Head of Rugby Operations Sam Raven.

Supporters are encouraged to come cheer the riders off as they depart Kingsholm on Monday 8th from 7.30am. To register your attendance, please click here. Limited spaces available.

Cycle schedule

Please note: updates on arrival times into Milton Keyes, Twickenham and the final leg into Kingsholm will be available via Gloucester Rugby’s social channels – including @4EdFundraising (instagram) - which will follow the cycle throughout using #4Ed.

Monday August 8

Kingsholm Stadium (from 7.30am) to Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium (between 4-5pm)

Tuesday August 9

Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium to Milton Keynes RFC

Milton Keynes RFC to Twickenham Stadium

Wednesday August 10

Twickenham Stadium to Kingsholm Stadium

Over the course of the 2022/23 season, several events – kicking off with ‘Cycle 4Ed’ – will take place. Supporters wishing to host their own events to raise funds for the 4Ed campaign can continue to do so via the JustGiving page, which has been set a new milestone of £444,000. A fundraising pack will be made available over the coming weeks with more information on how to get involved.

Ed and Gloucester Rugby are grateful for the support of the following organisations in helping facilitate the Cycle 4Ed challenge and wider campaign:

Elite Pro Sports, Printable Promotions, thisaway, Zeus Events, Leicester Tigers, Sportsrooms, Sign-a-ture

4Ed campaign to launch with 350-mile cycle

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