Doddie Weir’s widow ‘grateful’ as motor neurone disease fundraising passes £2m mark

The widow of rugby star George “Doddie” Weir has expressed her “incredibly grateful” thanks after fundraisers raised more than £2 million to advance treatments for motor neurone disease.

Kathy Weir highlighted that the Doddie’s Triple Crown endurance cycling race in March contributed just £1.6 million to this significant sum.

The grueling 750-mile event, which runs from March 10-13, along with other previous initiatives, directly supports the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, the charity named after her late husband and dedicated to finding better treatments for the degenerative condition.

Ms Weir, who is on the all-female relay team, said: “To surpass £2 million once again is incredible. It shows the support for Doddie’s legacy and the whole MND community is not only still there, but growing.”

“People still show up, they still give, they still push themselves, and that means everything.

“The momentum behind this cause is greater than ever and will continue to grow as we work to put an end to this terrible disease.”

Every January, walkers, cyclists and runners log their miles as part of the charity’s annual Doddie Aid event, and nearly 13,000 people took part in this year’s event.

Doddie and Mrs Weir’s son Hamish attended for the first time this year, much to his mother’s delight.

Ms Weir said: “It meant so much to see Hamish take on this role.

“This is about continuing what Doddie started and keeping that bond alive as a family.

“He does it his own way, but in the same spirit. We all do it that way.”

Others attending this year’s event included former Ireland rugby player Gordon D’Arcy, who handed out the match ball before the Ireland v Scotland Six Nations match in Dublin.

Ms Weir said: “The reception we received in Dublin was special and the attention the journey received was appropriate for everything we were involved in. I’ll be honest, I was dreading the challenge.

“You worry that you’re not ready, that you might hold people back, but at some point you just have to get on the bike and go.

“There were moments when you didn’t know how to climb, but you kept pedaling.

“Then along the way you meet people living with MND, which makes you realize exactly why you’re doing it.

“We are incredibly grateful.

“To everyone who rides for us, donates or supports us along the way – we are all in this for the same reason and every contribution counts.”

Doddie Weir’s former teammate and close friend Rob Wainwright founded Doddie Air in 2018.

Doddie Weir was diagnosed in 2016 and died in 2022.

“What stands out is goodwill. At every stop you see people coming together for a common goal. That’s what makes this so special.”

“Fundraising this year has been astounding, up more than 50% on our best drive yet.

“Seeing over £2 million raised in Doddie Aid and this journey is phenomenal.

“Every penny of this goes directly to the front lines of MND research, which is exactly where it needs to be.

“There were people who thought it would diminish after Doddie, but the opposite happened.

“Support is still growing and we will continue for as long as it takes.

“A huge thank you to all the support staff, sponsors, the IRFU and everyone who made this happen. We will keep going for them all. There is no finish line to this until we find a cure. Doddie’s legacy is not only lasting, it leads to real progress.”

You can donate to charity here.

Special donations to Triple Crown can be made here.