Doddie digs deep for families living with MND

The My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, founded by rugby legend Doddie Weir, has donated an additional £100,000 to MND Scotland to support people living with motor neurone disease (MND).

Doddie, who first shared his MND diagnosis in June 2017, has pledged to help others living with the rapidly progressing terminal illness, as well as funding for vital research into finding a cure.

To support families currently affected, the Foundation has committed annual funding to MND Scotland and the MND Association, since 2018. The Foundation also made one-off donations to the charities in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, taking its total contributions to MND Scotland and the MND Association to £380,000 and £670,000, respectively.

These new funds will be used by both charities to help families across the UK cover some of the financial burden that comes with a diagnosis of MND, through their grant programmes.

These programmes aim to help reduce some of the extra costs that come with living with MND. The grants can be used in various ways, for instance; to help with costs towards home adaptations, such as ramps and stairlifts, for specialist equipment to live life more independently, and for respite activities for carers and families.

Jill Douglas, CEO of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, said “We are delighted to continue and further strengthen our relationships with MND Scotland and MND Association by working with both these charities to support people living with motor neuron disease.

“This commitment, by Doddie and the Foundation, to help patients and their families, is one of our main strategic goals and we look forward to sharing our plans for the future in the coming months.

“Our ability to offer grants to families, through the existing frontline care charities, is only possible through the amazing contribution of our fundraisers and supporters and we’d like to thank everyone who has helped and supported us, you inspire us every day!”

Adrian Murphy, Chair of MND Scotland, said: “I’d like to thank the Foundation for its ongoing support of our grants programme which allows us to provide essential support to the families affected by this devastating disease.

“Since his own diagnosis, Doddie has raised an incredible amount of awareness by sharing his personal journey with MND, and through his Foundation has raised vital funds to support the cause. By continuing to work together we can help make life a little easier for people living with MND right now.”

Find out more about applying for an MND Scotland grant here.