Ed Slater overwhelmed by support following motor neurone disease diagnosis

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.

The route took in Leicester’s Mattioli Woods Welford Road stadium, Milton Keynes – Slater’s home town – and Twickenham before heading back to the west country, with Slater being joined by the likes of current Gloucester players Lewis Ludlow, Billy Twelvetrees and Fraser Balmain.

They were welcomed by around 250 Gloucester supporters, family and friends, and an emotional Slater said: “I don’t know where to start. I had a little cry coming down Birdlip Hill (seven miles from Kingsholm).

“I am just a normal bloke from Milton Keynes who happened to play a bit of rugby, and the way people have supported me since my diagnosis means so much.

“The welcome here is humbling and mind-blowing. I have had incredible support from the club.

“After receiving the diagnosis I was in an extraordinarily dark place, and they (Gloucester) have lifted me