Cyclists raise funds for Rob Burrow MND centre

A team of former rugby league players and firefighters are cycling 250 miles in a day to support a centre for motor neurone disease (MND) patients.

The ride, billed as '100 Laps for Rob' is in memory of rugby league legend Rob Burrow who was diagnosed with MND and died in 2024.

The cyclists started their challenge at Molescroft, East Yorkshire, at 04:00 GMT and expected to finish between 20:00 and 22:00.

Matt Schultz, a former Hull FC, Hull KR and Leeds Rhinos player, said: "It's a long way, and it's going to be a long day."

Schultz, who became a firefighter after his playing career ended, said the ride would take place around a two-and-a-half mile (4km) loop.

"Eight core cyclists are going to do the full 400 kilometres, so that's 250 miles or the equivalent of riding from Hull to Edinburgh, and that's going to be non-stop," he said.

The challenge has so far raised more than £9,000 for the Rob Burrow Centre for MND in West Yorkshire which provides specialist care and support for those living with the illness.

The East Yorkshire cycle challenge was the idea of Winter Olympian Pat Howdle who is also taking part in the event.

"It's fantastic to see people turn out and support us. It's amazing to think it started as a little ride and so many people have come together to support us and a great charity," Howdle said.

Veteran professional cyclist Richard Hardy and firefighters Dean Gregory, Michael Davis, Mark Lawson, Simon Turner and Lee Stephenson are all cycling 100 laps.

Former Hull FC players Ewan Dowes, Garreth Carvell, Rich Wilson, Rob Danby, Leroy McKenzie, Jez Cassidy, Craig Jackson, and Andy Taylor, will also ride for five hours each.

"We all said yes [to taking part] and then the realisation comes - that is a long way and it's going to be a long day," Schultz said.

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