Mike Tindall and his mates start charity bike ride to rugby match in honour of former star Ed Slater as he fights motor neurone disease
Mike Tindall and his rugby mates went on a charity bike ride to raise money for their former rugby player friend Ed Slater, who has Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
Fellow rugby legend Martin Johnson CBE will go head-to-head against Mike in the team cycling race.
They are cycling to Villa Park, where the Slater Cup rugby match will be played today, about 45 miles from their home stadium.
Mike will race from Gloucester’s Kingsholm and Martin will start from Leicester’s Welford Road.
The Slater Cup was created in honor of former Gloucester and Leicester Tigers player Ed Slater, who was diagnosed with MND in July 2022.
Every season there is a clash between Ed’s two former teams and this year it will be the first time rugby will be played away from the ground, with around 40,000 fans heading to Aston Villa’s ground later today.
Both teams are raising money for the 4ED Foundation. The charity was founded by Ed Slater to provide much-needed support to people affected by MND, including home orientation, days out for carers and mental health support.
so far 4ED basis They raised £28,531 of their £100,000 target.
Mike Tindall at the start of today’s race at Villa Park ahead of the Slater Cup fixture
Mike competes with rugby legend Martin Johnson CBE. They cycle approximately 45 miles from their home stadium to Villa Park
Ed Slater and his wife Jo in November 2025. Ed was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in July 2022.
Mike has previously said: MND is a terrible disease and it has been really difficult to witness how it has affected Ed and his family, as well as others in the rugby community.
“What has been so special to see is how united the community has been throughout this whole process, most recently with the news regarding my good friend and former teammate Lewis.” ‘It will be a privilege to represent both Leicester Tigers and the wider rugby community as part of The Race to The Slater Cup next year.’
Ed expressed how honored he was to have ‘two absolute legends of the game’ taking part in this challenge.
He said: ‘Both Gloucester and Leicester mean so much to me and I am forever grateful for the support they have shown me and my family, especially over the last three years.
‘Although my name is on the Slater Cup title, it means so much more than just me; It’s about raising awareness about this brutal disease and raising funds to support people affected by it. I’m sure with the weight of Tinds, Johnno and others we can make a big difference to the MND community.’
