Friends and ex-playing colleagues of Scottish rugby legend Doddie Weir teamed up this week to run five marathons in five days across Belfast, Bangor and North Down
Over £25,000 was raised which will be donated to the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation to conduct research into motor neurone disease.
Former British and Irish Lion Weir, who earned 61 caps for Scotland, is facing his biggest challenge as he battles the disease, a condition that affects the brain and nerves.
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He set up the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation in 2017 after announcing that he had been diagnosed with MND, to help raise awareness and funds to find a cure for this devastating disease.
Scotsman Stuart Thom, who now lives in Belfast, has raised over £180,000 for the charity through events over the past four years, and his last event raised another £25,000.
Former Scotland rugby captain Budge Pountney and Tony Quin joined Stuart in Belfast as they completed the 5in5 challenge around different locations.
Three other friends completed the challenge in Edinburgh, Sussex and Berkshire before joining Stuart, Budge and Tony for a dinner at the Royal Belfast Golf Club.
“This was by far the toughest event I have undertaken to date, not just physically but mentally,” said Stuart.
Budge, who is the rugby Development Manager with Ulster Rugby, added: “I was persuaded to join Stuart on this challenge, and once I had agreed I could not let him down.
"However, after the first six miles I did question why I had agreed to it, as every step from then on was a challenge.”
The furthest both had run prior to this event was 14 miles. The trio was complete when Stuart’s sister-in-law's brother stepped in for her when she injured her back and could not partake.
Tony, who lives in Ballymena, said: “Even though Budge and Stuart had limited running experience, I only had eight weeks to get myself fit for the challenge."
The guys were joined by Liz O’Connor for the final marathon on Wednesday, which started at Royal Belfast, then a long out and back finished outside the Dirty Duck in Holywood.
Mr Thom, who is also Chief Executive of Royal Belfast Golf Club, said: “I grew up in Melrose in the Scottish Borders where both Doddie and I played rugby.
"No-one can fail to be moved by Doddie’s fight with MND and the way that he has turned his focus to raising as much money as possible to help find a cure”
The rugby family came together for a celebration dinner at Royal Belfast on St. Patrick’s Day with support from big names like former British and Irish Lion Tommy Seymour, Paddy Johns, Louis Ludik, Budge Pountney, David Humphreys and Chris Hollins, who hosted the evening.
“It was the hardest yet most fulfilling event to date”.
Anyone looking to donate to Stuart's 5in5 charity effort can check out his charity page HERE
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