A Rugby-inspired cycling challenge to raise funds for MS Society
Ian’s Dad lives with MS, so he and his friend Ryan are teaming up on an extraordinary challenge to raise money to help those living with the condition.
Rugby players and teammates Ian Anderson and Ryan Trimble are cycling the distance between their home of Belfast and each of the French Rugby World Cup venues—to raise money to support our work.
They’re cycling 4000km each – 20km per day for 210 days. This distance mirrors the distance from Belfast to each venue of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
Starting on Saturday 1 April 2023, the pair have taken a flexible approach to the challenge – including static cycling and pedalling through the Northern Irish countryside. Ryan has even fitted the challenge around getting married!
The pair will be finishing up the challenge on the date of the Rugby World Cup final – Saturday 28 October 2023.
Ian, thank you so much for undertaking this challenge to fundraise for us. Can you tell us more about your connection to MS?
Ian: “My Dad lives with MS. It can be a terrible condition, and it’s only when someone close to you is impacted that you realise how little you can help. As a result, in recent years, the MS Society has become very close to my heart. I’ve seen the fantastic work they do for MS research and for people in Northern Ireland. Both Ryan and I are exceptionally proud to be raising a fantastic amount of money for such a worthy cause."
Our aim is £1 for every kilometre travelled, and we’re well on the way to this target. But we need all the support we can get!
And how’s the challenge going so far for both of you?
Ian: “Ryan and I have really enjoyed the challenge so far and have another 2,000km to complete before the Rugby World Cup Final. I think we both underestimated the endurance and discipline required for 210 days of cycling! I can be a bit impulsive when it comes to taking part in weird and wonderful challenges, and this challenge was no different. I am no cyclist, in fact, until this began, I'd not been on a bike since I was 8 years old!”
Ryan: “When Ian asked me to join in on this challenge, I thought: 'how hard can it be?' I’m thrilled to have started, but my word it has been tougher than expected! While we'd love to complete it in record time, our families, work commitments, and getting married have resulted in a more flexible approach than the planned 20km per day…I love a challenge, physical and mental, especially when shared with my mates. So roll on the next lot of kilometres.”
For the next part of their challenge, Ian and Ryan will be doing a static cycle at their local Rugby club on Saturday 21 October.
