Former Gloucester, Leicester Tigers and Nottingham second row Ed Slater recently completed a whopping 350-mile cycle in aid of Motor Neurone Disease research.
Slater who revealed his heart breaking MND diagnosis on July 21st was visibly emotionally at the support he received throughout the challenge.
"I don't know where to start. I had a little cry coming down Birdlip Hill (7 miles from the finish line).” Slater said.
The ride which started and finished at the home of Gloucester Rugby, Kingsholm stadium took three days to complete.
Joining Slater were several former teammates who Slater paid tribute to.
"We arranged it so quickly I didn't have a chance to grasp how difficult a challenge it was going to be," paying tribute to his good mate, Gloucester player Billy Twelvetrees by saying he dragged him up some "really dark hills".
Highlighting that like many others, everyday stresses used to dictate his life but now following his diagnosis he has a clear idea of what is truly important.
"It just suddenly dawns on you that all the things you worry about and get stressed about really are insignificant and what it really boils down to is being around good people," he said.
Thanking his former club Gloucester, Slater said he felt a “sadness” about not being able to pull on the cherry and whites jersey again.
"I've been so proud to play for Gloucester. To think I won't be able to play on the pitch again is difficult."
As Slater gets set for the biggest battle of his life, all of the funds raised by his cycle have been donated to the 4Ed campaign.
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