Doing nothing is not an option for Doddie

The rugby legend’s incredible work to raise awareness of MND while fighting the condition is an inspiration

Doddie Weir was a hero for Scotland on the park and remains a true gentleman off it.

His legacy though will not be his 61 international caps, or the stirring performances that led to him becoming a mainstay of the team throughout the 1990s and a fans’ favourite at Murrayfield.

It is his work in raising awareness of Motor Neurone Disease while himself fighting that cruel conditions which will be his greatest achievement.

Weir who was diagnosed almost three years ago made an emotional stage appearance at the Edinburgh International Book Festival last week where he hit out at the ‘cutthroat’ treatment of MND patients by the health service and spoke of his determination to live for as long as possible to see his children grow up.

Yesterday he was on BBC Radio Scotland where he praised the care he has received from medical professionals but again highlighted his frustration that so little progress has been made in finding a cure or effective treatment.

“When you’re told you’ve got MND, you go home and you go and Google on the computer of how to try and rectify your issue on how

to stay alive,” he says. “It’s a bit like you’ve got a broken arm and you’re sent home to fix it yourself but with MND it’s a much more serious condition because it’s a terminal condition and no-one’s actually beaten MND to date and that’s my annoyance.

“The powers that be have done nothing over the last 25 years plus to bring any extra sort of drugs or help to the table.”

Doing nothing is not an option for Weir. His charitable foundation is on the way to raising £4 million to help fund research projects across the UK and investigate possible cures.

The accolades have also been pouring in, becoming an OBE in the New Year’s Honours list, having the Doddie Weir Cup created in his honour, and receiving the Edinburgh Award.

His work over the last three years has been simply incredible, an inspiration to all, and he has no intention of stopping until he secures a better outcome for sufferers of MND.

In life as on the rugby field, Doddie gives his all to the cause.

To quote the legendary Bill Mclaren, he’s “on the charge like a mad giraffe”. And we thank him for it.