6 days Ago By Gary Carter
ED SLATER is tackling another challenge along with the everyday ones he faces as he lives with ‘evil’ and ‘cruel’ motor neurone disease. Getting the MND community the funding for research and treatment it craves. 2 England RU legend Danny Cipriani is pulling his boots on again to line up in the 745 Game for mate Ed Slater Credit: Getty Images - Getty Today sees the next step in the effort to raise funds and awareness of the condition with the 745 Game, named after him and the late, great Rob Burrow and Doddie Weir.
Danny Cipriani, who has flown from Los Angeles to support his friend and former team-mate, will be joined by a host of rugby union and league legends in the hybrid event. Headingley, which Burrow graced, will once again be the centre of the push to keep MND at the forefront of people’s minds. But despite that and Kevin Sinfield’s efforts – his fifth physical challenge after millions of pounds were raised takes place next month – money is still lacking in the quest for a cure.
And former Leicester and Gloucester ace Slater – diagnosed in 2022 - is ready to lead the fight as he said: “I’m not here to say our cause is the most important but you have to go all guns blazing to get the message out there. “Look at the reality of what MND does to you, you can understand how evil and cruel it is. MOST READ IN RUGBY LEAGUE APPEALING Banned legend Mark Aston to get independent hearing after 18-month suspension CIP SERVICE Danny Cipriani set for shock return to rugby and ready to 'make a difference' SADLY MISSED Scotland and Lions hero Derrick Grant dies aged 86 as respected coach mourned RUGBY SHOCK Rugby legend has eye removed and reveals brain condition will lead to dementia “Even now, there are horror stories about how people are diagnosed, the information they receive, the help they get.
“There are issues around even healthcare and how you live out your final days. That’s before we talk about finding a treatment for ND. Most read in Rugby League Clash STOPPED Liverpool star in tears after Nations League medical emergency pauses clash UGLY SCENES Shock moment ultras clash on Glasgow street as fans chased into pub doorway surprise star Ruth Langsford signed by I'm A Celeb as she jets Down Under amid heartbreak EUR KIDDING Gers fans say 'give us our points' as Europa rivals 'provisionally relegated' “A lot of work needs to be done for people being diagnosed every day.
“My focus is MND and making sure we’re keeping that message out there. I want this to be as successful as it can be for the MND community.” The 745 Game – named after the numbers Burrow, Slater and Weir graced – has been spawned from an idea Ed and Rob were working on until the latter’s death in June.
2 Slater and Burrow were working on the 745 Game when the latter died in June Credit: The Times But the reaction of the likes of Adrian Morley and Gareth Ellis, who will line up for the league side, thrilled the 34-year-old, who marvelled at them when they were in the NRL and he played in Australia. Slater added: “While in Oz, I found a new abbreviation for rugby league – NRL. “Out there was Adrian, Gareth and Sam Burgess, who were leading the charge, and I’m sport obsessed.
That era of player was incredible. “It’s amazing. I’ll be honest, it’s the one area I was nervous about.
A lot of people have gone completely away from the game. “But I’m so grateful the guys immediately jumped on board. Without them, it’s just an idea.
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