Former Gloucester Rugby player Ed Slater will be heading back to Kingsholm later today with a group of fellow cyclists following a 350-mile ride which has kicked off a charity campaign.

The 34-year-old revealed last month that he had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease,.the devastating degenerative condition that fellow former sports stars Doddie Weir, Rob Burrow and Len Johnrose are also battling.

Ed, who announced his retirement from the sport last month, set up the 4Ed campaign with Gloucester Rugby, which will initially work to raise awareness of Ed's diagnosis and generate funds for his treatment and support of his young family.

On Monday, Ed and a group of current and former rugby players, set off on their marathon cycle ride, heading from Gloucester's Kingsholm Stadium to Leicester's Welford Road Mattioli Woods, where the lock spent seven years - two as captain.

After an overnight stay, the group headed off to Milton Keynes, Ed's hometown, to visit his first club - Milton Keynes RFC.

Following a refuel, the cyclists then set off for Twickenham Stadium, arriving yesterday, before heading back to Gloucester today.

Ed has been joined in the ride by Lewis Ludlow, Fraser Balmain and Billy Twelvetrees, as well as former Gloucester Rugby players Alex Brown, Charlie Sharples and Jim Hamilton, Ed's close friend, Joe Gorman, as well as brother Andy Slater will also join the group alongside Tommy Turner from former Nottingham RFC teammate and current Gloucester head of rugby operations Sam Raven.

Over the course of the 2022/23 season, several events - kicking off with 'Cycle 4Ed' - will take place. Supporters wishing to host their own events to raise funds for the 4Ed campaign can continue to do so via the JustGiving page, which has been set a new milestone of £444,000. A fundraising pack will be made available over the coming weeks with more information on how to get involved.

Ed and Gloucester Rugby are grateful for the support of the following organisations in helping facilitate the Cycle 4Ed challenge and wider campaign: Elite Pro Sports, Printable Promotions, thisaway, Zeus Events, Leicester Tigers, Sportsrooms, Sign-a-ture.

To donate to the campaign, go to bit.ly/donate4ed