Couple running for MND research
Walking the length of Scotland for Doddie Aid
Former Waikato Rugby and Scotland rep Glenn Metcalfe and wife Lisa are walking/ running the length of Scotland, in New Zealand, for Doddie Aid 2024.
Doddie Aid is a virtual mass participation event, encouraging you to get active for five weeks from January 1 and raise funds to help find a cure for motor neuron disease (MND).
MND research isn’t funded and there’s currently no cure.
Firstly at Whitianga and Whangamata¯ before returning home to Hamilton after their holiday, the Metcalfes are now at a combined total of 472km after 22 days (as of Monday) as they aim for 10km daily, all in honour of Glenn’s late friend and former Scotland teammate Doddie Weir.
Weir passed away in November 2022 after a battle with MND, but not before putting all of his final efforts into the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation to help others with the condition.
“I always felt a bit disconnected being on this side of the world, quite a few of my old teammates are involved with Doddie Aid and my first captain for Scotland, Rob Wainwright started the event,” Glenn says.
Over the last three years, Doddie Aid has seen almost 80,000 participants cover eight million miles and raise over £4 million for the foundation.
“Doddie was always a magic guy. I caught up with him in 2019 at our 20-year reunion since winning the Five Nations. He wasn’t too great but he was sharp as a tack, his body was starting to let him down due to MND. Everyone loved him and everyone knew him.
“His whole ethos was, these are the cards I’ve been dealt, I’m just going to crack on and do what I can. He inspired a lot of people to fight the fight.”
From the Shetland Islands to Gretna Green on the border is about 700km as the crow flies.
“I’m trying to change it up each day, taking a different route and getting a couple of people to come along and run with me,” Glenn says.
“Everyone taking part posts what they’re doing. It’s all about people feeling good mentally and physically.
“I wasn’t really big on social media but I said to Lisa, let’s get into it and we’ll give it a crack and try to connect that way.”
To take part and claim a free snood, all you have to do is download the Doddie Aid app and sign up by making a donation.
Kilometres can be logged via the app — gallop, run, cycle, swim, dance, hop, skip, row, roll — any form of exercise counts.
The majority of funds raised go towards research to find a cure.
The UK is leading the way in MND research but Glenn hopes that they can do their part to help from the other side of the globe.
“If they have a breakthrough with a drug or a cure, people everywhere in the world can benefit,” Glenn says.
“I’m enjoying the challenge that’s for sure. It’s a really cool feeling for Lisa and I to be a part of this and raise some money. We’re chuffed.”
To donate to the Metcalfe’s Justgiving page for Doddie Aid, visit tinyurl.com/doddieaidmetcalfe
For more information, head doddieaid.com to