MY Name'5 Doddie Foundation CEO, Jill Douglas, has been recognised in the New Year's honours list for her services to sport and charity, receiving an MBE.
Raised in Bonchester Bridge, Jill attended Jedburgh Grammar School before starting her successful journalism career in the Scottish Borders.
She hosted ITV Border’s Lookaround news programme before moving to the BBC in 1993 and has since worked for Sky and ITV reporting on many sports including rugby, athletics and cycling and snooker.
Last year she broadcast to the nation from the Olympic Games.
Jill is a close friend of Doddie Weir and since he was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease she has worked tirelessly on behalf of the hugely successful My Name’5 Doddie Foundation set up to fund research into the disease.
The charity played a significant role in persuading the UK government to commit £50m to help find a cure for MND which attacks the nervous system and affects around 5000 people in the UK.
She said: “It is a privilege to be involved in live sport, I’ve been fortunate to be trackside or pitch side for some incredible sporting moments. From my early days in local newspapers and regional tv, to working on global events, I’ve been given wonderful opportunities by my editors and producers and worked with brilliant professionals who bring sport into our homes every day.
“Sport is a huge part of our family life and the way the sporting world and wider community has stepped up and supported Doddie and My Name’5 Doddie Foundation is just incredible. MND is a devastating disease and we will continue to do all we can to support people living with motor neuron disease and hopefully, one day, find a cure.”
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