TWO members of OPMs rugby club are taking on an epic cycle challenge to raise funds for Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) in memory of their former club chairman Simon Adams, who sadly died from the disease a decade ago.

Matt Price and Mark Ward will cover 850 miles, over 12 days, visiting all 13 of this season’s Premiership Rugby clubs along the way.

They started on Tuesday in Newcastle and will finish at OPMs on Saturday, October 9.

A popular Plymouth head teacher, Simon Adams was 46 when he was tragically diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2009 and told he would die within two years.

Within a week of the shocking news, he made a bucket list and was determined to enjoy every day he had left. Top of his list was to raise £1 million to help fund vital research, so that in the not too distance future the words “you have motor neurone disease” will be followed by “it is curable”.

Since he died in 2011, his friends, family and the rugby community have continued fundraising to achieve the £1million total on his behalf.

Price and Ward hope that their Premiership tour will help to raise at least £15,000 to add to the pot, which currently stands at just over £565,000.

Price said: “This year we’ll be marking the 10-year anniversary of Simon’s passing, so it seems like the right time to do this fundraiser. Plus, it’s a great excuse to visit all the Premiership Rugby clubs along the way.”

Ward said: “It’s Matt’s fault I got roped into this; I hate cycling, but I’m doing it for Simon. Rugby clubs are like a family, it affects you deeply when one of your own is struck down. Many club members have done their part to try and raise money over the years, we’re just trying to do our bit.”

The finale to the challenge will be a black-tie dinner in Plymouth where they plan on raising more funds by auctioning off signed shirts donated by each club along the way.

To find out more about their challenge or to make a donation, visit https://www.tourdeprem.com/