Coll cyclists help raise £31k for Doddie's MND charity

An SFRS cycling team has completed a huge challenge and raised £31,600 for Motor Neuron Disease (MND).

 

The 13-strong team from Argyll and Bute and East and West Dunbartonshire joined Doddie Aid – to raise money for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, set up by the late rugby legend Doddie Weir.

 

They left Cardiff’s Millenium Stadium on February 9 and arrived at Murrayfield, Edinburgh for the Scotland v Wales Six Nations match on February 11. The 555-mile cycle was a continuous ride for 48 hours and the team smashed their fundraising target of £10,000.

 

The Doddie Aid mass participation event was founded three years ago by former rugby player and friend of Doddie Weir - Rob Wainwright - who also helps to keep his local community safe on the Island of Coll, where he is a volunteer on call firefighter.

 

This year’s cycle saw around 150 cyclists taking part with the Doddie Aid event raising more than £2million for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. Funds which will go towards research to help find a cure for MND.

 

Area commander Joe McKay, local senior officer for Argyll and Bute and East and West Dunbartonshire, said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the support – from donations from many individuals to the support given to us by some businesses and organisations.

 

"We also experienced excellent hospitality from all around the country at the rugby clubs we stopped at for much needed refuelling before clocking up more miles.

 

“We’re also delighted to show support for Rob Wainwright’s determination to make a difference. We’re grateful we’ve been able to donate funds for research into MND to help to continue the inspirational legacy left behind by Doddie Weir.”

 

The riders were Joe McKay, Tom Davis, Brian Wardle, Alex Wainwright, Gregg Hastie, Roddie Shaw, and William Wilson. Their support team was John Fraser, David Moore, Stuart Kennedy, Ross Watson, Derek Symon, Andrew McGregor and Darren Gibb.