LEEDS Rhinos will pay tribute to Borders rugby legend Doddie Weir with a special limited edition kit for their Magic Weekend clash with Castleford Tigers.
The fixture is set for June 3 at St James’ Park in Newcastle, the city where Weir won a Rugby Union Premiership.
Doddie became a mentor for Rhinos legend Rob Burrow when the former Leeds player was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in December 2019.
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In November 2022, Weir died just a week after setting off Kevin Sinfield on his epic Ultra 7 in 7 Challenge to raise money for the MND community.
To help continue the rugby star's legacy, and to show their appreciation for the support he gave Rob Burrow, £10 from the sale of every replica shirt will be donated to the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation by Leeds Rhinos.
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The shirt design incorporates the distinctive Doddie Weir tartan and features the former British and Irish Lions details on the inside collar along with a quote from Rob Burrow on the reverse of the collar saying: ‘Thanks for showing us the way’.
Along both sleeves is a quote from Doddie that reads: ‘Whatever your situation, make the most you can of each and every day. Be nice to people, and laugh as much as possible’.
John Bentley, who played for Leeds between 1988 and 1992 and was a team mate of Doddie’s with Newcastle and the British and Irish Lions, helped to launch the new shirt.
He said: “I love it and Doddie would have too. It is a real tribute with the famous tartan.
“I think it is a fantastic gesture by the club, especially with the link to Rob too obviously. I am really proud to have played at Leeds and I love the link with the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation especially as the game will be played in Newcastle where we share so many wonderful memories and I first met Doddie.
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“The legacy he has created will continue, for Doddie it was never about him, it was about helping those less fortunate who perhaps don’t have the support that he or Rob have and this will go a long way to continue that fundraising. But as importantly we are also letting those people with MND know that we are still supporting them.”
Paul Thompson, director of fundraising at the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation added: “This is a fantastic gesture by the Rhinos. The community across both codes of rugby have come together so strongly over the past six years in support of Doddie, Rob Burrow and others.
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“This year marks the 25th anniversary of Doddie winning the rugby union Premiership with Newcastle Falcons, so it's extremely fitting that the match is there on Magic Weekend.
“Support like this helps us to invest in groundbreaking science that will get us closer to tackling MND. Huge thanks to everyone involved."
Shirts can be ordered online at www.eliteprosports.co.uk/leeds-rhinos
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