Former England captain Lewis Moody received a heartfelt welcome at Allianz Stadium, carrying the match ball onto the pitch before England’s Test against Australia. Moody, a 2003 World Cup winner, recently revealed he has motor neurone disease (MND), an incurable muscle-wasting condition that claimed the lives of fellow rugby players Doddie Weir, Rob Burrow, and Joost van der Westhuizen.
Moody was warmly greeted by everyone at Allianz Stadium during the match, reflecting the rugby community’s solidarity. Additionally, a GoFundMe page has been established to support him and his family during this challenging time.
“It’s been wonderful in the sense of the outpouring of love and support, which has just been constant,”
“It’s been slightly overwhelming at times, but it all comes from such a beautiful and wonderful place.”
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Moody described the experience as strange but comforting, with his family feeling embraced by both the rugby and MND communities.
“My background is in rugby and people talk about that community, but the MND community that I’m now a part of has just really embraced us and we feel really lucky as a family to be a part of it.”
Lewis Moody’s experience highlights the power of community support through difficult health challenges.
Author’s summary: Lewis Moody shares how the constant love from rugby and MND communities has provided overwhelming comfort since his motor neurone disease diagnosis.