Rye-ly great tribute to rugby legend
A kind-hearted and creative farmer has transformed rye fields in Perthshire into a huge picture of rugby legend Doddie Weir in order to raise vital charity funds.
Crawford Niven’s stunning work - which measures 50,000m2 in size is on display at Gloagburn Farm near Tibbermore and will gather money for motor neuron disease research.
He hopes to smash through the £10,000 mark over the coming weeks.
Crawford first met Doddie in 2013 when the former British and Irish Lion officially opened the Gloagburn Farm Shop.
He has now carved a 1.5km long depiction of Doddie being held aloft by team-mates during a lineout to help raise awareness and donations for research into motor neuron disease (MND), supporting the work done by MND Scotland and My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.
Doddie passed away in November 2022 aged 52. He had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease in December 2016.
Crawford said:“doddie Weir was a giant of a man, not only in height but also in character. I can’t think of a better way to show how huge an impact he has had and his legacy continues to have on rugby, MND research and Scotland.”
Members of the public are being invited to book a free ticket for the‘doddie Walk’at the farm and help raise as much money as possible.
Crawford, a former Strathallan School student, added:“i hope as many people as possible book a free ticket to experience the Doddie Walk and donate to My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. Do as many laps as you can and share this.”
Crawford has grown into one of the UK’S top farming Youtubers with over 16.6k subscribers following his daily vlogs and adventures at the farm.
The Doddie Walk attraction is free to the public but donations can be made on entry to the rye field or in cash.
Those looking to take the walk can book a free ticket via this link: https:// www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ the-doddie-walktickets-637327873827