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
Win your way to the IRN BRU Carnival
The Duck Hunt is back bigger and better with over 150 ducks hidden across Glasgow and beyond!
READ MORE
Newton Mearns resident crowned as Citizen of the Year 2025
A volunteer who makes an outstanding contribution to diversity and inclusion in East Renfrewshire has been awarded the Provost Award to celebrate her community leadership.
READ MORE
Greenbank Garden nears completion of major daffodil restoration project
Trust staff and volunteers have planted over 70,000 daffodil bulbs at the historic Greenbank Garden as part of the Donate a Daffodil appeal.
READ MORE
DF Concerts & Events celebrates a year of sustainable and inclusive events
DF Concerts & Events is celebrating the success of their sustainability initiatives delivered across their major summer events in 2025.
READ MORE
Step into Christmas at Dalmeny Park with special festive menus and afternoon teas this December
Dalmeny Park is pulling out all the stops to make this festive season truly magical, unveiling its 2025 festive dining menus and afternoon teas available until 23rd December.
READ MORE
Scottish jazz talent in tune as award winners unveiled
The Scottish Jazz Awards 2025 celebrated the cream of the crop in the jazz scene on Sunday night, honouring outstanding artists and contributors at a memorable ceremony in Glasgow.
READ MORE
Anna Campbell Jones launches small batch Scottish botanical rum distilled in Glasgow
Interior designer, BBC Scotland's Home of the Year judge and entrepreneur Anna Campbell-Jones has released her first spirit.
READ MORE
Enjoy East Ren announces Winterfest programme
Enjoy East Ren has announced its Winterfest programme, packed full of Christmas cheer, with festive events for all the family.
READ MORE
Family run Jackton Distillery unveils bumper festive programme for 2025
Jackton Distillery, the family run Lowland distillery behind the RAER whisky, spirits and wine portfolio, has announced a packed Christmas calendar for December 2025.
READ MORE
Name the Loganair Christmas puffin and win a family adventure
Loganair, the UK’s leading regional airline, has launched a new festive competition to name the puffin starring in its emotional Christmas advert.
READ MORE
Festive fun on the farm at the National Museum of Rural Life
Celebrate the season with festive fun for the whole family at the National Museum of Rural Life.
READ MORE
Braehead celebrates bright young business stars this Christmas
Scotland's premier retail destination, Braehead Shopping Centre, today announce that this Christmas they will again welcome the Young Enterprise Christmas Trade Fayre.
READ MORE
East Renfrewshire to introduce 20mph speed limits to improve road safety
East Renfrewshire Council is set to reduce the speed limit on more than 1,100 residential streets and school zones to 20mph in an effort to make roads in the local authority safer for everyone.
READ MORE
Loch Lomond Shores Christmas Festival is a Christmas cracker this year!
A family rollercoaster, giant snow globe, rides, stalls, street food and live entertainment makes Loch Lomond Shores FREE Christmas festival the perfect Christmas day out for all the family!
READ MORE
Zizzi celebrates a fresh era with a new menu and app, by giving 132 people free pasta for one year
Zizzi has introduced a new food & drink menu across all its restaurants, launched a brand-new Zizzi app, and is giving 132 people free pasta for one year.
READ MORE
Festive Season at Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection
Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection have launched some new offerings designed for memorable Christmas stays, spectacular Hogmanay celebrations, and cozy winter escapes.
READ MORE
Authors celebrate Book Week Scotland 2025 at East Renfrewshire Libraries
Libraries across East Renfrewshire celebrated Book Week Scotland (17-23 November 2025) with a series of author events and workshops.
READ MORE
Second year of Urban Forestry Programme opens across Scotland
Community groups, organisations and schools across Scotland are being invited to apply for grants of up to £100,000.
READ MORE
Find a festive backdrop in Glasgow and the West
From frosty gardens to cosy tearooms, National Trust for Scotland places in Glasgow and the West are offering a host of winter experiences and special events this festive season.
READ MORE
Salmon return to Levern Water in Barrhead after 170 years
Salmon have returned to the Levern Water in Barrhead for the first time in 170 years, thanks to an award-winning river restoration project by East Ren Council and SEPA.
READ MORE
The Wizard Wae The Big Bawz: New adult panto brings comedy to Scotland in January
January needn't be a drag as Scotland's brand-new adult panto, The Wizard Wae The Big Bawz, hits the road, arriving just when the country needs a burst of joy!
READ MORE
The Doddie Weir match ball delivery is voted Greatest Murrayfield Moment
Doddie Weir’s emotional match ball delivery at Murrayfield in 2017 has been voted the greatest moment in the stadium’s 100-year history, after thousands of fans took part in a nationwide poll.
READ MORE
New book launches in Busby by local author, Marissa McCudden
Debut author, Marissa McCudden, has launched her new book, 'There's Lots of Different Types of Clever' with illustrator, Michael Spy on Amazon.
READ MORE
Much loved classic Scottish play, The Steamie, is set to return to venues in 2026
The Steamie has been scrubbed up ahead of making a return to theatres across the country next year as part of an exciting new chapter in its long-standing story in the theatre landscape.
READ MORE
Medea to tour Scotland in 2026
Bard in the Botanics will be launching their 25th Anniversary year with a Scotland-wide tour of their award-winning version of Medea, by Kathy McKean (after Euripides).
READ MORE
Imagine Theatre prepares for an exciting season of pantomimes across Scotland
Imagine Theatre proudly presents a spectacular lineup of family pantomimes across Scotland bursting with laughter, music, sparkle, and dance starring some of Scotland's best-loved entertainers!
READ MORE
Step into the magic at Dobbies Garden Centres
Dobbies Garden Centres has a fantastic line up of Santa’s Grotto and Quiet Grotto experiences, with an exciting North Pole adventure inspired theme, running from 23rd November - 24th December.
READ MORE
Footballers shine at SPAR Future Stars Cup
Girls' football stars from across East Renfrewshire showed their skills at the SPAR Future Stars Cup.
READ MORE
Scottish Ensemble announce projects for Spring and Summer 2026
Scottish Ensemble, a pioneering collective of musicians championing music for strings, announces its series of events for Spring/Summer 2026.
READ MORE
Aldi Scotland is turning up the Christmas cheer with its first ever festive Supermarket Sweep
Aldi Scotland is giving one lucky customer the chance to take part in a seasonal edition of its popular shopping challenge, all while raising vital funds for Children's Hospices Across Scotland.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links