First minister should match Doddie’s cash

Sir, – Can I ask through your columns that every MSP make a personal plea to our first minister to wear her heart on her sleeve and donate a figure to match what Doddie Weir has raised for research into MND.

Doddie is a talisman displaying unbelievable courage and tenacity in the face of incredible adversity. He is an amazing example to all of us of how to never give up but to fight, not just for himself, but for all fellow sufferers of this hideous disease. Doddie is so upbeat and keeps smiling, plus his mantra gives hope and a better quality of life to his fellow sufferers.

There surely cannot be any doubt as to what goes through the minds of motor neurone disease sufferers as they see vaccines being rolled out to help overcome Covid: “Why is more not being done for us with greater speed and urgency? But it will no doubt boil down to the fact we are in the fraction of a minority category. There should be no discrimination, we are all equal.”

At least the huge majority of Covid patients have a chance of a good recovery.

Not so with MND sufferers as there is no way back at all.

You even have a better chance with cancer or any other serious disease for that matter.

Please, first minister, give my plea further consideration. Doddie has been knighted in recognition of his incredible work raising awareness of motor neurone disease and Westminster has at long last been persuaded to throw £50 million into the research pot.

If the Scottish Government can find £9m for baby boxes and £5m for sanitary products then surely £5-7m can be found as a token of respect for what Doddie Weir has achieved. Jock Bryce.

Linton Hill Farm, Morebattle.

INSPIRATION: Doddie Weir’s attitude and endurance are an uplifting example to us all.