The wife of Scotland rugby hero Doddie Weir, who battled motor neurone disease for six years before his death, told how he had been “an inspirational force of nature”. Kathy said the 6ft 6in sportsman was as brave off the field as he was on it, raising £8 million for MND research.
She said: “His unending energy and drive and his strength of character powered him through his rugby and business careers and, we believe, enabled him to fight the effects of MND for so many years.
“Doddie put the same energy and even more love and fun into our lives together – he was a true family man. It is difficult to put into words how much we will miss him.
“MND took so much from Doddie but never his spirit and determination. He battled MND so bravely and, while his own battle may be over, his fight continues through his foundation until a cure is found for all those with this devastating disease.
“Doddie was an inspirational force of nature.”
The 52-year-old, capped 61 times for his country and with a personality to match his huge height, set about raising awareness of the disease through his My Name’5 Doddie foundation.
Despite being told he would be unable to walk within a year of his diagnosis, Doddie defied doctors for four years before the muscle-wasting condition took the use of his arms and legs completely.
Dedicating the last five years of his life to raising awareness of, and money for, the condition, he became one of the world’s leading MND campaigners.
His sense of humour, tartan suits and his ability to connect with people meant that he made huge strides in the battle for better treatment and understanding of the illness.
In 2019 he was awarded an OBE for services to rugby, MND research and to the Borders community, where he lived with Kathy and their three sons Hamish, Angus and Ben.
Tributes from those in his sport, politics, fellow campaigners and close friends show how much the player had achieved in his lifetime.
Friend and presenter Lorraine Kelly said: “The saddest news. Doddie was a giant of a man and did so much to raise awareness.” Former Scotland rugby union star Kenny Logan said: “You’re a true legend, to the sport you love and the family who you adored. Rest in peace, my friend.”
Kenny’s wife and TV presenter Gabby paid tribute with: “Dearest Doddie, you have inspired so many people on the rugby pitch and in your relentless campaigning for MND. We were lucky to call you a friend.”
Scotland’s Grand Slam hero Craig Chalmers said: “What Doddie did during the last few years of his life was phenomenal. And he achieved what he did in terms of raising all that cash and awareness because of the character he was – he could make people smile and do stuff they wouldn’t normally do.”
Former Celtic hero John Hartson tweeted: “RIP Doddie Weir… fought till the end! Raised so much awareness for MND… thoughts are with the Weir family at this sad time.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “This is so terribly sad. Doddie was one of our nation’s sporting legends but the brave way he responded to MND surpassed anything ever achieved on the rugby pitch. He refused to let it dim his spirit and did so much to help others. My condolences to his loved ones.”
His MP, John Lamont, last month urged the Government to listen to Doddie’s funding calls.
Speaking to the Sunday Mail, the Scottish Tory MP for the Borders said: “Doddie Weir was a giant on the pitch and a hero for all his valiant actions away from rugby.
“I was honoured to campaign with Doddie as he so bravely fought to find a cure and delivered millions of pounds towards MND research. He leaves a proud legacy.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales tweeted: “Doddie Weir was a hero – we are so sad to hear of his passing. His immense talent on the pitch as well as his tireless efforts to raise awareness of MND were an inspiration.”
The ex-Scotland rugby player made an emotional return to Murrayfield just a fortnight ago ahead of the national side’s match against New Zealand.
Joined by his family, Doddie received a standing ovation from players and fans as he held a rugby ball, clad in his famous blue and yellow Doddie’5 tartan. His appearance at the match marked a huge milestone for the charity in raising £8million for research into MND since it launched five years ago.
One of Scottish sport’s best-loved personalities, Doddie constantly pushed for greater help for those with MND, which left him confined to a wheelchair at the later stages.
He spoke candidly about the impacts of the disease, once giving a talk where he told the audience to sit on their hands and then asked them to drink a glass of water in front of them, without moving. He said it was the easiest way to get others to understand what it was like to have MND.
But he also spoke out when he believed not enough was being done, calling out the Government for failing to invest what it had promised into research for the condition and funding not being made available quickly enough.
He also questioned why a vaccine for Covid could be developed so quickly, when there was only one drug to treat MND and it had remained the same for the past two decades.
Rachel Maitland, chief executive of MND Scotland, said: “Doddie Weir was a huge inspiration who will be missed by so many. His bravery in sharing his experience of living with MND helped raise vital awareness.”
She said Doddie’s foundation had given vital support to families affected by the disease and their joint campaign to urge the UK Government to give £50million in research funding “brings new hope of finding meaningful treatments and a cure sooner”.
The charity boss added: “MND does not wait for anyone and now we have another person taken too soon. We cannot thank Doddie enough.”
The MND Association said: “Doddie became an inspiration to many, raising awareness and campaigning tirelessly on behalf of those with MND.”
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