Mike Tindall has taken to social media to issue a public message of support for former England rugby teammate Andy Long, as he takes on one of the toughest endurance challenges on the planet.
Mr Long, who also played alongside Mr Tindall for six years at Bath Rugby, is aiming to complete the Marathon des Sables this month, hoping to raise £75,000 for motor neurone disease (MND) charity Challenging MND.
The former England star faces a 250km, self-sufficient ultramarathon spanning nine days and six stages in the Sahara Desert.
Speaking on Instagram, Mr Tindall offered his support for his former teammate.
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He said: "If you can, please support him, because I can't imagine it is the easiest - you are running multiple marathons back to back, in the desert!"
The Marathon des Sables has been described as "the toughest footrace on Earth," with temperatures often exceeding 45C.
Despite the heat and extreme conditions across the Moroccan desert, Mr Long will carry a "Challenging MND" flag throughout the journey.
Zara Tindall's husband said the charity is "close to everyone in rugby's heart".
Mike Tindall has taken to social media to issue a public message of support for former England rugby teammate Andy Long, as he looks to take on one of the toughest endurance challenges on the planet
|Links between MND and high-profile rugby players have grown significantly in recent years.
Legendary figures of the sport, such as Rob Burrow, Lewis Moody, and Lou Gehrig, have all brought awareness to the seriousness of the links between the sport and the muscle degeneration disease through their respective diagnosis.
Six people are diagnosed with MND every day in the UK, affecting more than 5,000 adults at any one time, though there is a disproportionate number of former rugby stars diagnosed with the disease.
There is currently no cure.
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Andy Long will carry a 'Challenging MND' flag throughout the 250km, self-sufficient ultramarathon
|"The Marathon des Sables is an extreme test, but it pales in comparison to the daily challenges of this diagnosis," Mr Long said.
"If pushing my physical and mental limits can raise vital funds and awareness, then it’s a privilege to do it.
"My work now centres on resilience, mindset and peak performance, and this is about putting those principles into action for something that truly matters.
"We're aiming to raise £75,000 – funds that will directly support families who need help right now."
Mr Tindall has himself recently played a part in MND fundraisers. Just last month, the former Gloucester Rugby star captained a 45-mile cycle race to Villa Park in Birmingham, raising money for Ed Slater.
The Marathon des Sables is often described as 'the toughest footrace on Earth,' with temperatures often exceeding 45C
|GETTY
Mr Slater, a former Gloucester Rugby player himself, was diagnosed with MND in July 2022.
"The Race to The Slater Cup is a brilliant way to raise money and support people living with Motor Neurone Disease," Mr Tindall said.
"It’s been heartbreaking to see people I know and care about go through it and I’m determined to do everything I can to help.
"It’s an honour to captain the Gloucester cycle team and a really important cause to get behind."
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