Doddie Weir inspired event raises thousands for MND

Sunday 17 March 2019

A local event, inspired by former Scotland international rugby player Doddie Weir, has raised nearly £17,000 towards the treatment and research into Motor Neurone Disease.

Doddie was diagnosed with the disease two years ago and has since set up the 'My Name's Doddie' Foundation, which was one of the event's beneficiaries along with the Guernsey Motor Neurone Disease charity.

The fundraising dinner, held at the Duke of Richmond Hotel, coincided with the announcement that trustees of 'My Name's Doddie' have committed £2million to support MND research projects over the next three years.

Pictured: Just under £17,000 was raised at the 'In Conversation With...' event.

Trustee Gary Armstrong and former Scotland scrum half commented: "The Foundation has been running for fifteen months and we've spent £2million. It's not just for Doddie, other MND sufferers are getting help now. The work the Foundation is doing is just incredible."

Internationally-known sports presenter, John Inverdale, came to Guernsey for the dinner. He said: "I suspect a lot of work, as far as MND research is concerned, is now and will be done by bringing all the elements together. Until such time as there is something like this Foundation, people were just ploughing their own furrow and not really doing a co-ordinated effort."

The Guernsey Event Company has thanked GFG, Neon Sapphire and Praxis FM for their support.