SCOTTISH Rugby Union president John Jeffrey has vowed to cement Doddie Weir’s legacy by completing his push for a cure for motor neurone disease during an emotional memorial service.
Jeffrey, a trustee of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, hailed the charity fundraiser and campaigner’s “dogged, determined and bloody-minded” drive to force more research into MND, which took his life last month at the age of 52.
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Weir fought a six-year battle with the condition but never wavered in his quest to help fellow sufferers. His foundation has raised a 10-figure sum, already committed £8million to research projects and uses much of its £4million annual income to provide support to people living with MND and their families.
About 450 guests attended Melrose Parish Church, which overlooks the Borders town’s rugby club, where Weir won six Scottish titles in the 1990s and earned the first of 61 Scotland caps, when he was a 20-year-old farmer.
Jeffrey explained the background to the formation of Weir’s charity, when the 6ft 6in former forward refused to accept the proceeds of a second testimonial dinner being planned for his benefit.
He added: “He was an absolute pest both on the pitch when you played against him, probably more when you played with him, and then more importantly off the pitch.
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“The good thing about that nature, it didn’t change, and he has been an absolute pest to all the researchers and scientists trying to find a cure for MND. I don’t think these scientists had ever experienced anything like it.”
Jeffrey revealed Weir had declared at a recent meeting that his foundation colleagues “just bloody knuckle down, double your efforts and find a cure for this bloody disease”.
READ MORE: Rob Wainwright vows to keep Doddie Weir's MND legacy alive
Addressing his friend, Jeffrey added: “Over the last six years your selfless actions during a prolonged period of extreme adversity have given inspiration and hope to thousands of people worldwide and we will not let you or them down.
“The words ‘legend’ and ‘legacy’ are widely and inappropriately bandied about these days.”
His voice cracking with emotion, Jeffrey finished: “Doddie, you are a legend and your legacy will be that we do find a cure for MND.”
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