Chris Hoy to lead cyclists in virtual Doddie Weir fundraiser

Image source, MY NAME'5 DODDIE

Image caption, Hoy said he was 'inspired' by Weir's 'relentless pursuit' of an MND cure

13 January 2024

Olympic cycling champion Sir Chris Hoy will lead a virtual bike ride to raise funds for the charity named after Scotland rugby legend Doddie Weir.

Star Wars actor Ewan McGregor, football great Ally McCoist and TV presenter Lorraine Kelly are among those taking part in Sunday's event for the My Name'5 Doddie foundation.

It was launched to fund research into motor neurone disease (MND).

And so far this year the charity has raised nearly £500,000.

On Saturday round-the-world cyclist Mark Beaumont led an in-person ride around Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh as part of Doddie Aid 2024.

The charity was set up in 2020 after the former Scotland and British Lions player was diagnosed with MND.

Since then it has raised more than £4m to explore a cure for the condition.

Weir died aged 52 in November 2022, six years after he was diagnosed.

Sir Chris will lead the 50km (31 mile) cycle on online platform Zwift as part of the event, which will see participants rack up the miles to raise funds for the foundation.

Image source, PA Media

Image caption, Mark Beaumont (left) and ex-Scotland rugby captain Rob Wainwright at a previous fundraiser for the charity

He said: "Doddie was an inspiration to everybody who met him and far more around the world, and his relentless pursuit of a world free of MND through the foundation has provided more hope than ever for people living with this devastating disease.

"This ride, and Doddie Aid, is about everybody uniting behind the common cause Doddie started. I often hear people ask 'what can I do to help' - well this is it.

"Doddie's selfless and tireless work in his final years helped create hope of a finish line in the search for a cure for MND, it's up to all of us to help the community reach it."

Weir's former rugby teammates and current stars including Kenny Logan, Zander Fagerson, Scott Quinnell, Kelly Brown, Jim Hamilton and Scotland captain Jamie Ritchie have also signed up for the challenge.

Paul Thompson, director of fundraising at My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, said: "The wave of support from the general public as well as some of the most famous names in the world is inspiring.

"It shows Doddie's enduring impact and the strength of will he ignited in the public to help in our mission to rid the world of MND."