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BBC/Jim Scott
Lewis Moody was greeted with a huge crowd at Newcastle Red Bulls on Sunday
England's former rugby captain Lewis Moody is embarking on a 500-mile (804km) bike ride to raise awareness around Motor Neurone Disease (MND) following his own diagnosis.
The 48-year-old, along with more than a dozen rugby players, friends and family, set off from Newcastle Red Bulls' stadium for Rugby HQ in Twickenham.
Moody paid tribute to George "Doddie" Weir, who played for the Red Bulls and died from MND in 2022. He said the efforts of MND campaigners such as Kevin Sinfield meant there was hope that the discovery of a cure was getting closer.
MND is a rare neurological condition which affects the brain and spinal cord, and can affect a person's ability to talk, walk and breathe.
The Lewis Moody XV Challenge, which is raising money for the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, will see the team stop off in Durham, before travelling to Ripon Rugby Club on the first leg of the challenge.
They will then visit all five of Moody's former clubs, including Leicester Tigers and Bath, before arriving in Twickenhead on Thursday.
BBC/Jim Scott
Moody leads the way as the team followed behind from the Newcastle Red Bulls' stadium
"It's not a pleasant diagnosis, but you have to approach these things with a positive mindset," Moody told the BBC.
"Having the energy of people in Newcastle, all my former team mates, crew, I am just genuinely excited to get into it [the challenge]."
Moody was joined by Weir's wife Kathy and son Hamish, who plays for Melrose Rugby in Scotland.
Kathy said Doddie "would be so proud that we are all back here and still trying to find that cure for MND".
BBC/Stuart Prandle
Hamish Weir said his father Doddie would be "looking down on him" and "proud"
As onlookers took photographs with the players, James Campbell from Newcastle, said he was keen to see them off after being receiving his own MND diagnosis.
"I wanted to support the racers heading off... I think it's tremendous of him to put himself through this. It's incredible."
Moody added that he was relying on the efforts of his team to keep his "strength up" mentally and physically, so he can complete the challenge.
BBC/Jim Scott
James Campbell and his family turned out to see them set off after receiving his own diagnosis of the disease
