Cash will speed up research

My Name’5 Doddie Foundation (MNDF) is investing more than £500,000 in motor neuron disease clinical trials.

Set up by Scottish rugby legend Doddie Weir, the charity said the investment spread across multiple UK centres would speed up the search for effective treatments for the condition.

The foundation has already invested more than £3m to recruit staff to deliver MND clinical trials.

It has also committed more than £11m to MND research, with a further £2m invested in supporting people living with MND.

Jessica Lee, director of research at MNDF, said: “Doddie was passionate about the need for more MND clinical trials, to give newly diagnosed people hope and purpose, and to accelerate the search for effective treatments.

"This commitment of an additional £500,000 to support individual trial centres, will enable them to buy-out the time of specialised staff and make a real difference in our ongoing mission”

MND is a terminal illness which stops the signals from the brain reaching the muscles.

Average life expectancy is just 18 months from diagnosis and there is currently no cure or effective treatment.

During his player career Doddie Weir made 61 international appearances for the Scotland national team and represented the British & Irish Lions.

After retiring from professional rugby he focused his energies on the family farm near Fountainhall, Galashiels.

He was survived by his wife Kathy and sons Hamish, Angus and Ben, who are all involved in the charitable foundation.