Tributes flow in for Scotland ‘colossus’ Weir and his legacy for MND research

DODDIE Weir was hailed as a “magical human being” as tributes poured in following the death of rugby’s great hero at 52.

It came six years after the Scotland star was diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

Royalty and political leaders joined the sporting world to bid farewell to a man who touched the lives of so many. Former team-mate

Scott Hastings said: “He was extraordinary both on and off the rugby pitch, a magical human being. His work within the MND community means he leaves a legacy that is just unrivalled in many respects.”

Not only did he fight the cruel disease with incredible courage and humour,Weir raised millions of pounds to fund the quest for a cure. Rugby league legend Kevin Sinfield said: “Doddie was a giant as a player, but his campaigning following his MND diagnosis made him a colossus.”

When I interviewed him in 2019,Weir, right, made plain his frustration that not enough was being done to find a cure. “One drug came out 25 years ago that most patients are not on and nothing has been done since to give anyone with MND even a wee chance,” he said.

“Fighting for a cure is what drives me.” The government pledged £50million last November to help find new therapies. It has still to be made available.