We recently learnt the news that ex 1st XV Simon Christian had been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

Simon started playing for the Club in 1988. After a break, returned to the Club in 2005 where he was part of the 2007 Lewis Shield winning team (pic) as well as coaching Minis and Juniors and being on what he claims was the best bar team! It wasn’t just Simon though, as all three of his sons played for the club in their various age groups.

“I am still reasonably mobile although walking is proving challenging and am still working, mainly from home.” says Simon “The MND Association has already been a great support during the early stages of my diagnosis”

And that’s where the cycling challenge comes in...Simon joined the Bedford Belly Busters cycling group a couple of years ago, enjoying Saturday morning ride out’s with his new found friends. It is these friends, along with others, who will cycle from Bedford to Headingly to the “745 Game” with the aim to raise awareness and money for MND; including for alterations to Simon’s home, to help with his changing mobility.

A note about the cycling challenge from the Bedford Belly Busters:
We wanted to show Simon how much we support him and his family after his recent diagnosis. The group came up with the idea of cycling from Bedford to the 745 rugby game in Headingley; some 180 miles with 3,072 metres worth of hills to climb. We’re doing this over 2.5 days in, no doubt, the worst weather November can throw at us. It was only last May that Simon completed a 100 mile cycle event and now the pleasure of cycling is no longer available to him.

The 745 game, which will be a hybrid of Rugby League and Rugby Union rules, was an idea that Leeds Rhino’s, Rob Burrow and former Leicester and Gloucester Rugby Union player Ed Slater were developing before Burrow passed away in June this year, aged just 41.

The distinctive name for the match, The 745 Game, comes from the numbers worn by Burrow (7) and Slater (4) along with Scottish Rugby Union legend Doddie Weir (5). The match itself, which will kick off at 3pm, will see former stars of both codes come together for the ground breaking clash, which is hoped could become an annual event to support MND communities across the country.

To learn more about the challenge and to donate, head to - https://www.givewheel.com/fundraising/5268/simon-christian-bike-ride-challenge-in-aid-motor-neurone-disease-charities/