The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Sports award recognition for charity campaigner Doddie Weir.
SPORTS PERSONALITY: Ex-rugby star hailed for his fundraising
Scotland rugby legend Doddie Weir was honoured with the Helen Rollason Award at the star-studded BBC Sports Personality of the Year show in Aberdeen’s P&J Live Arena last night.
The award is given to outstanding achievement in the face of adversity.
Ben Stokes won the overall Sports Personality of the Year award for his heroics in the Cricket World Cup and Ashes.
Mr Weir, 49, was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in 2016. The following year he set up the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation which has raised millions of pounds for research into the disease.
The former lock, who played club rugby for Melrose and Newcastle
Falcons, won 61 caps for Scotland and played for the British Lions on their 1997 South Africa tour.
He was accompanied on stage by relatives and former team-mates before being presented with his award by the Prince Royal.
She said it was a “personal pleasure” to present him with the award, adding: “You’ve given a lot of pleasure and pride over the years of your playing for Scotland and we’re very grateful for that.
“I know what a difference you have made to the understanding of MND, its impact and your ability to fund research. For that we are all extremely grateful.”
Mr Weir said: “This is the closest I’ve ever got to a trophy so it’s very nice. What a great Christmas present this has been and to raise awareness of MND.
“From playing sport, I’ve got a bit of spirit and fight and my spirit is to find a cure for MND. My foundation has raised nearly £5 million, the recognition and support has been staggering.
“Sport has taught me to enjoy myself because you don’t know what’s next, so tonight will be pretty special.”
England’s cricketers were also named team of the year, while Baroness Tanni Grey-thomson won the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Rugby star Gareth Thomas thrilled local girl Guides when he stopped off in Monifieth as part of an epic crosscountry cycle to deliver the prestigious Personality of the Year award to the P&J Live Arena.
The Welsh star, the first openly gay rugby player, cycled from Cardiff to Aberdeen for Sport Relief to deliver the trophy to Ben Stokes at last night night’s ceremony.
Mr Thomas recently spoke publicly about being diagnosed with HIV and completed a 140-mile triathlon to show that people with the virus can still lead active lives. He also stopped off at Tesco in Monifieth to meet with members of Girlguiding Dundee.