A wave of warm feeling for recently passed Scottish rugby player and MND campaigner Doddie Weir has been expressed in Perthshire by charity fundraisers who had the pleasure of meeting him.
The former Scotland and British and Irish Lions second-row player died on Saturday, November 26 in Edinburgh from his terminal condition, Motor Neurone Disease (MND), at the age of 52.
Doddie, 6ft 6inches tall, was capped 61 times for his country and had a personality to match his huge height.
Despite being told he would be unable to walk within a year of his MND diagnosis, Doddie defied doctors for four years before the muscle-wasting condition took the use of his arms and legs completely.
Dedicating the last five years of his life to raising awareness of, and money for, the condition, he became one of the world’s leading MND campaigners.
The Rotary Club of Perth which had interacted with Doddie over the Silent Auction in 2019 sent out a letter saluting Doddie to all members.
The charity the kind-hearted sportsman had founded - My Name’5 Doddie - was the main beneficiary of the giant auction supported by Perthshire businesses and given coverage by the PA.
Rotary Club of Perth president Anna Martin wrote: “Doddie was an inspirational force of nature. His unending energy and drive, and his strength of character powered him through his rugby and business careers and, his family believe, enabled him to fight the effects of MND (Motor Neurone Disease) for so many years. MND took so much from Doddie, but never his spirit and determination.
“Doddie’s campaign for research into Motor Neurone Disease was the main beneficiary of both our 2019 Silent Auction, and the 2022 Perthshire Classic Car Tour.
“Doddie did so much to help our Silent Auction, and in spite of being unwell, willingly managed to travel to Edinburgh for our photoshoot.
“He was a giant of a man, not only towering above Rotarians but with a huge personality.
“Our contribution to his charity will assist towards diagnosis, therapies and hopefully a cure.
“He told Rotarians in 2019 his aim was to reach his 50th birthday.
“His tenacity was amazing. He never gave up and made every minute of this extra time count. He was an inspiration to us all.”
Remembering the photoshoot for the Perth Silent Auction in Edinburgh three years ago, local storage businessman, Perth Rotary member and auction coordinator David Lindsay said: “Personally I am extraordinarily sad to learn of Doddie’s death.
Given his diagnosis, I know it is inevitable that he has gone. But the determination that man showed - honestly, beyond inspirational.
“The fun and laughter he displayed at that morning photoshoot in an Edinburgh bar in October 2019, it was quite amazing.
“What a wonderful guy! I cherish the memories from that day.
“He made people feel good about themselves.
“I feel so very sorry for his young wife and young family left behind. Doddie you were a legend, a giant in our midst.”
