I was lucky to receive an entry into the 40^th Great North Run in September 2020 as this was going to be part of the Rugby 'Try' in support of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.

Unfortunately the Great North Run was postponed and subsequently so was the Rugby 'Try'. 

I will be kayaking 22 miles from Northern Ireland to Scotland, cycling 175 miles from Portpatrick to Newcastle then completing the 40th Great North Run all within 24 hours!

Leaving Northern Ireland 11th September 2021 and 'hopefully' finishing 12th September at the end of the Great North Run route.

Doddie Weir OBE is one of rugby’s most recognizable personalities. He earned 61 caps for Scotland during a successful playing career, represented the British and Irish Lions on their successful tour to South Africa in 1997, and won championships with his two club sides, Melrose, and Newcastle Falcons.

I grew up in Melrose and enjoyed watching Doddie play rugby at Melrose and was fortunate enough to play the odd game with Doddie.

A talented, committed, and athletic lock forward, Doddie is now facing his biggest challenge. In June 2017, the Scot revealed he was suffering from Motor Neuron Disease. From the outset, Doddie has been driven to help fellow sufferers and seek ways to further research into this, as yet, incurable disease.

My Name’5 Doddie Foundation was launched in November 2017 and its aims are simple; to raise funds to aid research into the causes of MND and investigate potential cures and to support this affected by this devastating disease.

The vast majority of the funds raised by My Name’5 Doddie Foundation
is invested into Motor Neuron Disease (MND) research.

“My attitude is that you should do what you can today and
worry about tomorrow when it comes. This is the card I’ve been dealt so I’ve just got to crack on.”

Doddie wants to help those touched by MND – be it fellow sufferers or their families having to deal with the daily consequences – with basic and practical relief, whether that be to help with mobility and transport needs, with care and respite, or access and basic living requirements.

The challenge will be tough, but nothing compared to the everyday challenge Doddie and fellow sufferers of MND face.

Please help by donating as much as you can.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/stuart-thom4

If you want to join me for any part of the challenge, please
get in touch.

Stuart Thom e: ceo@royalbelfast.com