Sturgeon calls for UK MND cash after Doddie’s death
Nicola Sturgeon has challenged the UK government to "go faster" in providing cash promised to help find a cure for motor neurone disease (MND) following the death of Doddie Weir.
The First Minister spoke out following the death of the rugby legend and MND campaigner.
Ms Sturgeon said: "I pledge today in memory of the great Doddie Weir that the government I lead will continue to do all we can to find the cure he so desperately wanted."
In November 2021, the UK government committed at least £50 million to help find new therapies, and eventually a cure, for MND – a condition which is both progressive and incurable.
Ms Sturgeon was questioned about the funding at First Minister's Question's at Holyrood, with Tory Brian Whittle calling on MSPS to "unify as a Parliament to encourage the UK government to move quicker".
The First Minister told him: "I would encourage the UK government to go faster, but I would also say to my government we need to go faster and do everything we can here and we need to work together.
Ms Sturgeon hailed Weir as "a Scottish sporting legend" adding he was "in so many ways one of a kind".
Meanwhile, a memorial service to celebrate the life of the former Scotland rugby star has been announced.
The service for Doddie, who died last month after a six-year battle with MND, will be held at Melrose Parish Church on December 19. The announcement was made on the website for the player's charity, the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, which aims to aid research into MND and those attending were asked to wear tartan.