A group of cyclists arrived in Waterford last night having made their way all the way from Virgin Media Park – the celebrity crew are embarking on a 555 kilometre cycle across Ireland over the course of 6 days in aid of the My Name 5 Doddie Foundation and The Irish Motor Neurone Association.
They’ve raised a whopping half a million pounds and counting and will make their way from Waterford to Newtownmountkennedy in Wicklow this morning.

Joining rugby legend Kenny Logan and renowned footballer Ally McCoist on the road are Kenny’s wife, broadcaster Gabby Logan; ex-England and Wasps international Will Green; actor Jamie Bamber; former Harlequins player Mel Deane; and world-renowned cancer campaigner Iain Ward – widely known as the ‘King of Chemo’.

Also supporting the effort is Doddie’s son, Hamish Weir, who was originally set to cycle but is now driving a support vehicle after sustaining an injury during a recent rugby sevens tournament.

Other notable absences from the original line-up include former Scotland stars Bryan Redpath and Hugo Southwell, and former Ireland and Lions centre Rob Henderson – each ruled out through injury, a clear sign of the challenge’s physical demands.

The ride will culminate in Dublin on 20 June, where the team will deliver the match ball to the Aviva Stadium ahead of the British & Irish Lions’ 1888 Cup clash with Argentina – the first time the two sides have ever met.

Logan, speaking ahead of the start, said: “We’ve lost a few to injury, and it just shows how demanding this is going to be. I’m not going to lie – I’ve had my own aches and pains. No major injuries thankfully, but I’ve definitely been reminded why I probably shouldn’t be moving this much at my age!

“I’m most nervous about the hills. I convinced myself Ireland was flat – it’s definitely not. But nerves are good. I’ve always had them before a big challenge, and it means I care.”

Training in the lead-up included intensive hill sessions on an exercise bike, with Logan regularly completing 60–70km rides and pushing towards the 100km mark. Gabby and friends joined him for several sessions.

As in his previous fundraising effort – a 700-mile ride from Edinburgh to Paris ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup – McCoist is once again bringing comic relief, though Logan joked that his teammate’s preparations may need some fine-tuning:

“Ally’s been out and about, but his bike broke down the other day. I told him not to trust himself to check the batteries on his fancy gears – someone else needs to do that for him!”

Ambulance at the ready, Ally McCoist struggles to get away after Kenny Logan and the rest of the Peleton got ‘fed up’ waiting for him to set out from the start line at the Kingspan Stadium in Belfast.

So far, the challenge has raised more than £300,000 for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation and the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association, with hopes of hitting the £500,000 mark before the final leg.

This is Logan’s second major endurance fundraiser for MND research, following last year’s Edinburgh-to-Paris cycle, which raised nearly £1 million. This year’s event is both a tribute to Weir, who died of MND in 2022, and a rallying cry to continue his legacy.

Logan added: “The support’s been incredible. We’ve still got time to push, and every penny counts. Since Doddie died, awareness has grown massively – but we still need to fund research. The Foundation has committed nearly £20 million already, which is phenomenal, but it’s only the beginning.

“Doddie would be proud – but he’d be telling us to go further and faster. That’s why we’re doing this.”

Speaking before the start of the Lions’ clash with Argentina, Logan also admitted he was disappointed to see fellow winger Darcy Graham miss out on selection – though he welcomed the strong Scottish presence in the squad.

“I still think Darcy will go – there’s a lot of rugby to be played between now and then, and there will be injuries. We’ve seen that with Zander missing out already. Overall it’s great to see so many Scots in the squad – they’ll be out to make their mark in Australia and put down a marker for the Test team.”

Doddie’s Lions Challenge is supported by headline sponsors MEDITE SMARTPLY, Arnold Clark, and Leo Group, with additional backing from Ford, Switch Car Rental, Highland Spring, DAF, and Ocean Outdoor.

All funds raised will support the Foundation’s mission to find effective treatments – and ultimately a cure – for motor neurone disease.

To donate or learn more, visit:
https://uk2.emma-live.com/doddie5lionscycle

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