Ed Slater says he has been overwhelmed by support from the rugby community after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
Former Gloucester and Leicester lock Slater announced his retirement from rugby with immediate effect three weeks ago. The 34-year-old revealed that he had been diagnosed with the devastating degenerative condition that fellow former sports stars Doddie Weir, Rob Burrow and Len Johnrose are also battling.
Fund-raising initiatives were immediately launched, with a JustGiving page recently topping £150,000. And Slater and a group of current and former players arrived back at Gloucester’s Kingsholm ground on Wednesday following a 350-mile cycle ride that lasted three days and raised a further £155,000.
Gloucester and Slater set up the 4Ed campaign, which will initially work to raise awareness of his diagnosis, generate funds for his treatment and support his young family.