Ed Slater thanks fans for support after diagnosed with motor neurone disease

Gloucester star Ed Slater has thanked the support received after he was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.

The 33-year-old announced his retirement from professional rugby after his diagnosis was informed yesterday afternoon following six months of testing.

Following the news, the club set a fund raiser through Just Giving with a target of £20,000 and the donation now have already collected over £57,000.

"I want to say Thank You to everyone for all your messages of support and generosity," he posted on his Twitter account.

"It gives me and my family a huge amount of strength in a time of sadness for us. I will meet this challenge head on.

"Ultimately I can’t win but I will fight with everything. Hope is not lost."

Slater has made three appearances for Gloucester in the Premiership last season having joined them in 2017. He has overall played 78 times in the Premiership for the Cherry and Whites.

He also was part of Leicester Tigers between 2010 and 2017 and was part of their Premiership winning squad in the 2012/13 season and also played for England Saxons four times.

Here's a link to his JustGiving Page