‘We're donating £25k to Lewis Moody’s charity ride after our brother's death from cruel disease'
Dennis Powell and his sister Caroline are donating the funds after their eldest brother Christopher died this year
A brother and sister from north Shropshire are digging very deep to donate £25,000 to a charity bike ride featuring England rugby union legend Lewis Moody.
The former Lion is undertaking a seven-day cycle ride to raise funds for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) research, after he was diagnosed with the disease last year.
The ride, which began on Sunday (June 14), has Moody and a team of former England teammates travelling across the country before finishing at Twickenham on Saturday ahead of the Gallagher Premiership Final.
And a brother and sister from north Shropshire are following the England legend’s progress very keenly, having donated a whopping £25,000 to the cause.
Dennis Powell and his sister Caroline are donating the funds after their eldest brother Christopher died from MND earlier this year at the age of 68.
The three of them with other brother Vincent grew up on a family farm in Whixall near Wem.
Christopher worked for 48 years as a mechanic for PA Roberts High Street Garage in Whitchurch and was also a familiar figure on local tractor runs, having never lost his passion for farming until he was struck down with MND.
“When he was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease it was a great shock to the family and close friends as we knew there was no cure,” said brother Dennis, aged 66.
“We did everything we could to help Chris but sadly he passed away in March this year,” added Dennis, who works for Dr & Fa Ford Transport in Wem.,
He said he is still coming to terms with Christopher’s death but had heard about the charity bike ride by Lewis Moody, and its aim to raise funds to fight MND.
“When I heard about the bike ride from Newcastle to Twickenham, we decided that we wanted to do what we could to support them, so myself and Caroline are donating £25,000 to the bike ride so that they can find a cure for this cruel disease,” said Dennis.
So far the Lewis Moody XV Cycle Challenge has raised £235,000 and anyone who wishes to donate can find out more at lewismoodyxv-cyclechallenge.com or myname5doddie.com.
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