Gloucester Rugby star, Ed Slater recently gave a talk at my 12-year old daughter's school (King's, Glos) about Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and the charity he founded - 4ED - to help fund research into the condition + help those who suffer from it and their families get support.

Our neighbour has MND so this is a cause close to our hearts. As a family, we decided to join my daughter's school in an effort to raise funds by doing a BIG FAMILY BIKE RIDE for 1 week to see if we can ride 500km between us together on indoor (and outdoor) bikes.

My daughter's school will be taking part in a big fundraiser during their PE lessons this week to try and cycle 1000km+. Jim (hubbie), Scarlett (daughter), Ilona (our lovely Ukrainian friend), Piet (my big bro) & I are aiming to cycle 15 - 20km every day for 1 week and we would LOVE your support to keep up our pedal power!

This fundraiser will directly help hundreds of UK families living with MND to access urgent psychological + financial support from Gloucester Rugby Foundation, so they can concentrate on the important things in life without the new pressures in front of them.

Thank you for your kindness in raising awareness and funds for 4ED. No matter how big or small your donation, every £1 makes a difference.

Our goal is to raise £500 - £1 for every km we ride! Wish us luck...!

Warmest wishes,

Laura, Jim, Ilona, Piet, Scarlett and Ash. xoxoxox

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Quick up-date on Feb 6th (half way)...

We've managed to bike an impressive 325.15km between us. Whoop! Whoop! Thanks a million for the mini avalanche of support we've had through sponsorship, friends riding and sharing their distance to add on top of our 500km goal, moral support.

I visited my neighbour with MND yesterday. Through a friend's husband at Glos Rugby Club, we're now in talks to try and get him and his wife the psychological and financial support they urgently need. How lovely that what we're doing might benefit someone on our doorstep as well as Ed.

Here are my rides over the past few days...