Doddie Weir

Truly saddened to hear the news that Doddie Weir, former Scotland and British & Irish Lions rugby star, has announced he been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. Doddie is only 46.

Doddie was part of the famous 1997 British Lions squad which won a test series against South Africa. Unfortunately, Doddie's tour ended early when he suffered a dreadful potential career ending knee injury due to an outrageous act of foul play. However, he won his battle to play again, but now faces the ultimate struggle against MND.

Like 6 other people each day in the UK, Doddie received the shattering diagnosis that he has an untreatable, incurable, terminal illness. Most people deal with this crushing news within the privacy of their family, so it's incredibly brave of Doddie to go public and use his profile to raise awareness and funds to help others and search for a cure.

Sadly, the 1997 Lions tour now has the dreadful statistic that two players from the competing squads, Doodie Weir and Joost van der Westhuizen, developed MND.

The more funds we can raise for MND research the sooner we can offer hope to people who receive a MND diagnosis. It's why Christine and I take on challenges. We find it hard to raise funds and rely hugely on our quite incredibly generous family, friends and colleagues. Whatever amount you can afford to donate will make a difference in the fight against MND.

Thanks.