CLIMBDOWN!
Doddie’s charity WILL get six-figure donation
Scottish and Welsh rugby chiefs have buckled under intense criticism and will now make a ‘six-figure donation’ to Doddie Weir’s charity following Saturday’s test in cardiff.
the unions had caused widespread anger throughout the rugby community after it was revealed that, while Wales and Scotland would be competing for the ‘Doddie Weir cup’ in the opening match of the autumn internationals, they would not be making a financial contribution to charity.
With many fans believing the game had been marketed as providing a direct benefit to the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, set up in the wake of the former Scotland international’s (right) diagnosis with MND 18 months ago, the row threatened to overshadow what should have been a positive occasion.
But last night the unions released a joint statement revealing their change of heart and that they were ‘committed
to donating a joint six-figure sum from the proceeds of the game, with the associated visibility for the fight against MND also providing an invaluable contribution’.
A spokesman for Scottish Rugby said: ‘We have been proud to have the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation as one of our official charities to enable us to provide time and resources into helping Doddie raise vital funds for much needed research into MND.
‘We have listened to the feedback from the rugby family in relation to extending our support around the autumn Test match in Cardiff and have partnered with the WRU in a commitment to guarantee the Foundation receives a six-figure donation.
‘We are happy to provide a further level of support to Doddie and his Foundation through this initiative and to mirror the generosity of fans.’
A spokesman for the WRU added: ‘We have listened to supporters and, whilst our initial motivation in supporting the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation was to help raise awareness for the fight against MND and the Foundations’ fundraising campaign, we have decided to make a direct donation.
‘As a union of member clubs which supports our own designated charity, the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust, and supports guest charities with bucket collections at each international match alongside an array of other fundraising activity across Welsh rugby, we have taken care not to set an unsustainable precedent.
‘Together with the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation and Scottish Rugby, we put together a thorough and careful plan in support of a hugely deserving cause with all the best intentions.
‘The intention was always to celebrate a great man of the world game and it feels appropriate that we reflect the generosity of the rugby family with our own contribution.’
Weir set up the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, to help fellow MND sufferers and their families, while funding research into finding a cure for the disease.
Scott Hastings, Chairman of Trustees for My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, said: ‘We would like to thank the Welsh Rugby Union and Scottish Rugby for this significant and very welcome decision which will add even more to the financial benefits we are grateful to be receiving from this weekend.
‘Their commitment to donate directly to My Name’5 Doddie Foundation underlines the continued support and generosity we have received from both unions and the wider rugby community since we launched the Foundation last year.
‘The outpouring of goodwill shown to Doddie and the Foundation means a great deal to us and allows us to continue to invest in research and hopefully one day help find a cure for this horrendous disease.’
Those associated with the Scotland team, meanwhile, have vowed to ‘do it for Doddie’ by returning home from Cardiff with a win over the Welsh.
Mike Blair, assistant coach to Gregor Townsend, said the visit by Weir into the Scotland camp before the New Zealand game a year ago had made a lasting impression on all the players.
And he added: ‘It was about a year ago that he came in and spoke with the squad and it was a really emotional moment. Even the guys that don’t know him that well found there was an emotional connection with him.’
Glasgow Warriors stand-off Adam Hastings said he would use the way Weir has dealt with his diagnosis as part of his inspiration ahead of the match.
‘Will I be inspired by him? Definitely,’ he said. ‘I don’t know how he has been so positive with the whole thing, I definitely wouldn’t be. He seems to have just taken it in his stride.’
Meanwhile, Harlequins back James Lang has been added to the Scotland squad for the Test matches against Fiji, South Africa and Argentina. The 23-year-old has been drafted in to replace Glasgow centre Sam Johnson, who sustained a knee injury in his club’s Pro14 loss to Munster in Limerick and as cover for Edinburgh centre Matt Scott, who has concussion.
The back-row trio of Edinburgh’s Magnus Bradbury and Luke Crosbie and David Denton of Leicester have returned to the care of their clubs’ medical teams for further assessment on shoulder, head and jaw injuries respectively.
The status of uncapped Edinburgh back Darcy Graham has been elevated from ‘training with’ the squad, to a full squad member.
Unions still have time to see sense and donate