Haggis haul a result for rugby pals
THEIR skills on the pitch made them a formidable winning team.
But now former Newcastle Falcons star Doddie Weir and his teammates share a different bond.
The players have rallied around the rugby legend after he was struck down with the degenerative nerve illness motor neurone disease.
Edinburgh-born Weir, 47, set-up the Doddie Weir’5 Discretionary Trust – a name which makes use of his rugby shirt number – to provide practical help for him and his family.
He also launched the foundation My Name’5 Doddie to raise funds for research into MND and to provide grants to people living with the condition.
Now, Weir’s former teammates have been pounding the pavements from the Scottish Borders to Kingston Park, home of the Falcons, to raise money for his foundation. They carried a haggis for 50 miles over two days, and last night their challenge was due to end with a Burns Night presentation of the Haggis to Weir at the stadium.
The players left Carter Bar on Wednesday and walked through Otterburn and Elsdon, stopping off at the Bird in Bush pub. Owner Stephen Shaw said: “We lost a friend to MND so it was personal for us to help. It was brilliant having them in and we gave them some soup and sandwiches to keep them going.” Yesterday they were walking from Wallington to Ponteland via Belsay and were due to arrive at Kingston Park in the evening. Those taking part have included Stuart Grimes, Jim Naylor, Michael Stephenson and Marius Hurter. Newcastle Falcons Supporters Club chairman Colin Edge followed the exsportsmen in a support vehicle. The 53-year-old said: “It’s been fantastic. We’ve known the big man for a long time so when we heard what happened we wanted to help out a little bit. “He did so much for the club with presentations, speaking after games and having banter with the players. “He is larger than life and loves taking the Mickey, that’s who he is. “It’s brilliant from the players as they’ve given up their time and most have not played for a professional team for a long time, but they’re doing well.” Weir won 61 caps for Scotland and was part of the squad which won the 1999 Five Nations title. He was also called up for the British and Irish Lions’ 1997 tour of South Africa, and was part of the 1997–98 Falcons Premiership-winning side. The foundation’s website is myname5 doddie.co.uk.