Fundraiser for ex-England cricketer living with MND

A gym owner is helping to raise money for a "larger than life" and "brave" former England cricketer living with motor neurone disease (MND).

Matty Hudd has organised a 24-hour indoor cycling challenge at Bristol Trojan Fitness, where friends and family will aim to cover 6,500 miles.

He wants to support his friend, ex-Gloucestershire fast bowler David 'Syd' Lawrence, who was diagnosed with MND in June.

Mr Lawrence said it had been a "tough road" but it was fantastic that people were coming together "through these awful times".

Mr Hudd said it had been hard to see such a "strong, powerful man" affected by the "cruel" disease and that he wanted to do everything he could to help.

"It's all about building spirits and showing the community what Syd means to us," he said.

"Syd is a larger than life character, unique in every single way.

"He would do things in the dark that shines in the light and that's very rare nowadays - a legend."

Mr Lawrence was diagnosed with MND in June following four months in hospital and multiple tests.

"This is a dreadful, limiting disease where good days are quite rare," he said.

"We want to show the love - love always wins," added Mr Lawrence.

Mr Lawrence said it has been a "tough road" since his diagnosis, but explained that you "have to be brave".

"I can't describe it in words," he said.

"Imagine you today, talking to friends, everything fine and then six months later you can't pick the phone up, operate the computer, you can't go to the bathroom, you need helpers.

"Everyone's been so kind."

Mr Lawrence took 625 wickets in 280 matches during a 16-year career at Gloucestershire that ended in 1997.

He made his international debut at Lord’s in 1988 and played five Test matches for England.

The Scycle For Syd event on Saturday will see fundraisers cycle the equivalent distance between Gloucestershire's Seat Unique Stadium and Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, the country which he made his international debut against.

The event will raise money for Mr Lawrence and his family and the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.