'750 miles will be tough': Duo to tackle gruelling cycle challenge for MND in honour of Doddie Weir
They’ll be swapping Yorkshire’s winding lanes for the Scottish Borders and Ireland’s coast, as two determined cyclists prepare for a gruelling 750-mile ride in the fight against Motor Neurone Disease.
Martin Mansell and Hamish Graham will set off from Melrose - the hometown of late rugby legend Doddie Weir - on March 10, embarking on a four-day challenge to Dublin in aid of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.
The charity was set up in 2017 by the late Scottish Rugby Union player Doddie Weir who died from MND in 2022.
Their route will cut a proud path through the heart of Yorkshire, including a stop at Headingley Stadium and stretches through Skelmanthorpe, Holmfirth and the Peak District, with friends, family and supporters expected to cheer them on along the way.
Martin said that though he anticipates the challenge will be tough, he feels greatly motivated by the cause he is riding for.
He told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “I’m incredibly proud to be taking part in the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation Melrose to Dublin ride in support of MND research.
“It means a great deal that the route passes through the full length of Yorkshire, including near my home village of Skelmanthorpe as well as stopping in Leeds where I am from, where we’ll be backed by friends, family and the wider community as we ride for such an important cause.
“While four days and 750 miles will be tough, knowing the ride is helping to fund vital MND research gives us real motivation throughout the tough moments.”
The four day bike-ride is part of preparation for an even greater challenge where Martin and Hamish will take on a 6,000km ride from Nordkapp, Norway, the northernmost point of mainland Europe, all the way down to Tarifa, Spain, its southernmost tip.
On this challenge, Mark and Hamish will be joined by endurance cyclists Mark Beaumont and Jenny Graham, who are both world record breakers within the sport.
Their ultimate goal is to raise £100,000 to support the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation alongside the Yorkshire Children’s Charity which works to support children in the region living with disability or hardship by providing essential resources to families in crisis.
To support their ongoing fundraising challenge, visit their online fundraising page to donate.