A TOTAL of 34 coaches, players, parents and fans of Peebles Rugby Club have signed up as part of Team South for Doddie Aid 2022.

Doddie Aid is a mass participation event, encouraging people to get active in January and raise funds to help find a cure to Motor Neurone Disease.

It was founded by former Scotland captain and British and Irish Lion Rob Wainwright and raised £1million in January 2021, with 27,000 people taking part.

The event splits participants into five districts, with the winning district being the one which covers the furthest distance over the duration of the event.

Peebles Under-16 coach Mark Thomson organised a contingent from the club to take part and help raise funds for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, the charity set up by rugby legend Doddie Weir in 2017.

He told us: "I grew up watching Doddie play for Melrose at the Greenyards, but this is not just about Doddie. There as so many cases of MND throughout he country so it’s a very worthwhile cause. I thought I’d rally the troops and sign up to Team South and so far we have 30 members comprising of coaches from all levels at club along with players, parents and supporters.

“I get regular updates from those taking part and include these in the app. As well as being for a great cause, the event brings everyone together and it’s good to get active in January.

"By day five we have covered 1198 miles and raised £520 for the charity.”

So far more than 3,000 Borderers have signed up for Team South which is co-captained by paralympian Samantha Kinghorn and rugby legend Greig Laidlaw.

Elsewhere, Team North and Midlands, captained by Lorraine Kelly, had the most members with 4,433 while Gabby Logan’s Team Barbarians had 3,381 members and Team South had 3,083.

Team Edinburgh, captained by Davy Zye, had 2,430 and Al Kellock’s Team Glasgow had 2,058 – making a total of 15,385.