First Minister John Swinney launches the Doddie Aid 2025 campaign
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney launches the Doddie Aid 2025 campaign at Murrayfield stadium.
Article Source: Message Matters
Last Updated: 29 December 2024 14:24
The FM signed up to take part in the fundraiser launched by former Scotland rugby star Doddie Weir as he met other supporters warming up for it at Murrayfield in Edinburgh yesterday (Saturday). Doddie Aid is the Foundation’s single largest fundraising campaign. It takes place from 1 January every year for five weeks, with thousands of supporters signing up to take part in the personal exercise challenge. Participants pay £20 to enter and record their exercise miles on the Doddie Aid app. All forms of exercise count, including running, cycling, swimming, dancing and walking.
Everyone who signs up receives one of the striking snoods now inextricably linked with the campaign's work.
For the first time, Doddie Aid participants will be split into the four nations of Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales and will compete to see which nation can log the most number of miles over the five weeks of the campaign.
Speaking ahead of signing up to take part in Doddie Aid 2025, First Minister John Swinney said: “Doddie Weir is an inspiration to people across Scotland – as both a sportsman and a campaigner. And the research into MND through his Foundation is a powerful legacy.
“We need to understand this terrible condition better and find a cure - Doddie Aid and the Foundation are making a huge contribution to this mission, and I am delighted to play a small personal part in their efforts this year.”
My Name’5 Doddie Foundation was set up by former Scotland and British Lions player Doddie Weir in 2017 to raise funds for research into motor neuron disease. Since that time, the Foundation has committed over £18 million in research into effective treatments and a cure for MND, but this remains a challenging disease with few treatments and no cure.
● Motor Neuron Disease is a complex disease that affects the behaviour of motor neurons in the body. Motor neurons carry signals from the brain directly to muscles; when the motor neurons are affected, the muscles become progressively weaker. MND is a fast progressing neurological condition. The disease affects one in 300 people in the UK, and takes the life of a third of sufferers within one year of diagnosis, and half within two years. As yet there are very few effective treatments for MND and no cure.
● Research is key in bringing an end to MND, and in the seven years since its formation the Foundation has committed £18 million in grants for research activities. The projects funded fall into two categories:
Pre-clinical i.e. lab-based work to discover, test and learn before conducting studies in
humans
Clinical studies – i.e. testing the most promising treatments in people living with MND
Photos by Jamie Simpson / My Name’5 Doddie Foundation
Sponsored Links
Latest East Renfrewshire News
The Saltires 2025 Shortlists Announced
The shortlisted titles for this year’s Saltires, Scotland’s National Book Awards, were announced at Blackwell’s bookshop in Edinburgh.
READ MORE
KT Tunstall wins Modern Scottish Classic Award, plus SAY Award Shortlist reveal
The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award has unveiled the 10 Shortlisted albums now in the running for 2025’s title and £20,000 prize, as well as five Sound of Young Scotland finalists.
READ MORE
Loch Lomond Shores has got the October school holidays sorted
There's loads to see and do – from pet friendly days out to breakfast with dinosaurs, loch tours and much more!
READ MORE
Scottish Wedding Show turns up the heat as it returns to the SEC
Scotland's largest wedding showcase, The Scottish Wedding Show, returns to Glasgow this weekend, ready to welcome thousands of couples from across the country looking to plan their dream day!
READ MORE
Keela and Mountaineering Scotland launch new campaign
Keela, the Scottish outdoor clothing brand, and Mountaineering Scotland Launch ‘Within You’, an new three-month campaign, inspiring Confidence, Connection, and Adventure in the Outdoors!
READ MORE
Book Week Scotland 2025 programme announced
Scotland's national celebration of books, Book Week Scotland, returns from 17th to 23rd November and tickets are on sale now!
READ MORE
Dobbies donates Christmas trees to local communities
Dobbies Garden Centres is lifting community spirits this season with a Christmas tree donation across the country, in partnership with Needlefresh.
READ MORE
Football legends lace up for 150 mile charity walk inspired by Marcus Stewart, Stephen Darby and the late Doddie Weir
Former Celtic and Scotland football heroes to join ex-player with MND on 150-mile March of The Day to raise funds to help tackle the disease.
READ MORE
First winners announced for GUITARGUITAR Scottish Music Awards
Amy MacDonald, Hue and Cry, Nathan Evans and The Saint PHNX Band, Skipinnish, Shay O'Dowd and James Emmanuel are among the first winners to be announced for the GUITARGUITAR Scottish Music Awards!
READ MORE
Step into stories of Scotland this October with Living History
Scotland’s colourful past bursts to life this October as Historic Environment Scotland (HES) returns with its popular Living History programme for the school holidays.
READ MORE
Sport and physical activity champions recognised at awards
Sports and physical activity champions from across East Renfrewshire have been recognised for their contributions.
READ MORE
Autumn events at Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection
Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection have launched new offerings designed for cosy coastal retreats and joyful pre-festive celebrations.
READ MORE
Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week launches to inspire the nation with Find Your Fit campaign
The Scottish Government's Women and Girls in Sport Week launches this week, celebrating the power of movement and encouraging women and girls of all ages to get active in ways that work for them.
READ MORE
Unlimited adventures for less than a tank of petrol
With the October school holidays fast approaching, ScotRail has unveiled a new, affordable way for families to make the most of the break!
READ MORE
Seachdain na Gaidhlig (World Gaelic Week) 2026 launches with rallying call to use it, or lose it
Seachdain na Gàidhlig will return in 2026, under the banner Use It or Lose It – and organisers are encouraging people across Scotland and the global diaspora to get behind the rallying cry.
READ MORE
Brits brewing up a storm: Macdonald Hotels reports coffee surge
Brits are now picking up the cafetière, with Macdonald Hotels & Resorts revealing a 10% rise in coffee sales across its 32 UK hotels and resorts in the past year.
READ MORE
Spooky season brings horror icons and vampire romance back to the big screen at Vue
Some of the latest horror blockbusters – alongside creepy classics, enchanting family favourites and the ever-popular Twilight Saga – will all be heading to Vue venues this Halloween.
READ MORE
Christmas Launch Weekend at Dobbies Garden Centres marks the start of the festive season
Christmas has come early as Dobbies Garden Centres kicks off the season in style at its Christmas Launch Weekend which takes place from Thursday 9th to Monday 13th October.
READ MORE
CCC treats audiences to a frightfully delightful family concert this Halloween
Children's Classic Concerts return with their popular Halloween concert performances in Glasgow and Edinburgh later this month!
READ MORE
Braehead secures SuperPark, Global Leisure Brand, for its UK debut
Global indoor leisure and recreation concept SuperPark will make its UK debut at Braehead Shopping Centre, bringing experience-led leisure to the centre next year!
READ MORE
East Renfrewshire Libraries announce thrilling events for Dead Good October
East Renfrewshire libraries have lined up a series of thrilling events for Dead Good October, featuring author events, crime cafes, Harry Potter Day, family fun and more!
READ MORE
SAY Award Longlist announced including Jacob Alon, Kathryn Joseph, Mogwai and more
The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award, Scotland's national music prize, has today revealed the 20 outstanding albums on 2025's Longlist.
READ MORE
Beatson Cancer Charity and Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service join forces for Blood Cancer Awareness Month
For the first time, Beatson Cancer Charity has joined forces with the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service to highlight the vital role blood donors play in the treatment of blood cancers.
READ MORE
Young readers celebrate reading challenge success
Hundreds of young readers in East Renfrewshire are celebrating after completing this year's Summer Reading Challenge!
READ MORE
Netherlee nurse praises life changing local fitness programme
A retired midwife from Netherlee has praised her local gym for “totally transforming her life”.
READ MORE
Green Flag flies in Cowan Park for first time
The Green Flag has been raised in Cowan Park for the first time, following the Barrhead park being awarded the accolade this summer.
READ MORE
Singer Peter Cox set for intimate show at Eastwood Theatre
Eastwood Theatre has announced an intimate show with singer-songwriter Peter Cox.
READ MORE
Spooky season returns to town with the announcement of Paisley Halloween Festival 2025
Paisley Halloween Festival will return to town next month to celebrate the spooky season with a packed programme of frightful fun for all the family!
READ MORE
Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival returns for its 12th edition
Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival returns for its 12th edition on the big screen in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling and Inverness from 1st to 19th October 2025.
READ MORE
Cineworld 4DX Rewind returns for 2025
Cineworld is excited to announce the return of 4DX Rewind this September across Cineworld 4DX cinemas nationwide!
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links