Worksop's rugby physio star joins Lewis Moody in epic bike ride for MND
A former Worksop rugby player who became physiotherapist to the England team, including during their World Cup win of 2003, is to join former England captain Lewis Moody and other rugby greats, as they tackle a 500-mile cycling challenge for a motor neurone disease charity.
Lewis Moody, 47, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in September, and will do the seven-day ride in aid of the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation.
The trek will start from Newcastle and end at Twickenham, to deliver the match ball for the Prem final on June 20.
But on Monday, June 15, the group will finish the 87-miles second leg from Ripon at Worksop Rugby Club, stay overnight then set off on the third leg to Leicester Tigers via Oakham on the morning of June 16.
Phil Pask, formerly of Worksop and now president of Northampton Saints Rugby Club, currently top of the premiership, will join the peloton at Worksop, where he once attended Valley Comprehensive School, and where his career in rugby began at Worksop Rugby Club.
President of Worksop Rugby Club, Neil Hopkinson, said: "Phil moved away from Worksop when he met his wife in the early 80s.
"He moved to Northampton and joined the rugby club where he later became captain, then club physio, before being chosen to be physio for the England team.
"We played rugby together here before Phil went on to play for Northampton Saints, both Rugby Sevens and the senior 15.
"His physiotherapy career is incredible both nationally and internationally, and he is admired by players around the world for his work on and off the field, supporting not only the England team but also the British and Ireland Lions on tour.
"He visits Worksop often, as his mum still lives here".
Also joining Lewis Moody on the bikes will be Jonny Wilkinson, Mike Tindall, Martin Corry, Ben Kay, Phil Vickery and Andy Gomarsall - all fellow members of the squad that won England's only Rugby World Cup, along with Lewis's former team-mates from Leicester and Bath, Tom Croft, Geordan Murphy, Leon Lloyd, Ben Youngs, Tom Youngs, Lee Mears, Danny Care, Dan Hipkiss and Louis Deacon.
Lewis is no stranger to fundraising, as he set up his own charitable foundation after he retired and has raised millions of pounds to fund research into brain tumours.
He was diagnosed with MND after feeling weakness in his shoulder while training, and has said the disease is progressing slowly. Since retiring he has undertaken at least one gruelling challenge each year, and wanted to get this one in as soon as he could.
Former Scotland player Doddie Weir, who died in 2022, set up the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation in 2017, and so far it has amassed £23.5m towards research into treatment.
Mr Hopkinson added: "The ride will all be in aid of motor neurone disease. Anyone who has the slightest interest in rugby should not miss this event. Come along and support the men - from the most famous team we've had in the country.
"We'll welcome anyone who wants to come along, lend their support, and help raise the profile of this charity."
The current expectation is that the cyclists will arrive in Worksop on June 15 at around 4pm.