Latest news with #LionsChallenge
Irish Independent
8 hours ago
- Health
- Irish Independent
‘We need someone to carry the torch,' says Dublin dad with MND urging for new Irish voice in fight against disease
His plea comes as Kenny Logan and a team of sporting stars complete a 555-mile charity cycle at the Aviva Stadium today. Andrés Estevez-Guersanik (45), originally from Argentina but living in Dublin for 20 years, said Ireland needs a public champion to raise awareness and funding for MND, warning that momentum could fade without a high-profile voice. The father-of-two said: 'We had Charlie Bird and Fr Tony Coote. They made such a difference as they got the nation talking, but they're not here anymore and no one has stepped in. And without that voice, that figure, the momentum is at risk of fading. 'We need someone new to carry the torch for awareness and to change how people treat this disease, how quickly you're diagnosed, how services work. That only happens when someone with a platform says, 'Enough.' When they say, 'This matters.'' Andrés was speaking as he prepares to greet Logan and the team to Dublin and the Aviva Stadium today as they complete Doddie's Lions Challenge – a 555-mile cycle around Ireland raising funds for My Name'5 Doddie Foundation. Andrés described his own diagnosis as a 'rollercoaster of emotions'. A passionate runner and cyclist, he said it was devastating to learn he had an incurable illness. 'Suddenly, everything has a different meaning,' he said. 'I value small things much more, and these small things are now the essence of life — sitting down for a coffee and chatting, or the possibility of doing simple little things.' He spoke as Scotland rugby hero Logan led a team including football legend Ally McCoist, broadcaster Gabby Logan, and actor Jamie Bamber on the final leg of Doddie's Lions Challenge, a gruelling cycle raising funds for MND research through My Name'5 Doddie Foundation. The group — cycling around 100 miles a day across Ireland's rugby heartlands — has already raised more than £500,000, with further donations supporting both the Foundation and the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association. Andrés, once a keen marathon runner and cyclist, now relies on support from the IMNDA and is awaiting a hospice bed for respite care. He said public figures are key to changing how people respond to the disease. 'A voice helps people connect with MND — that's the shift we need in Ireland. Because MND can happen to anyone, and people deserve better when it does,' he added. Kenny Logan will lead a team of celebrities on the cycle including his wife, broadcaster Gabby Logan, football legend Ally McCoist, and actor Jamie Bamber. The group will cycle approximately 100 miles a day across some of Ireland's most scenic and historic rugby heartlands, stopping at the home clubs of Lions' legends throughout. The former Scotland winger said: 'Doddie put MND on the map, and we're committed to carrying on his legacy. If this ride helps shine a light and inspires someone in Irish sport to pick up the torch, then it's already a success. 'We've had an unbelievable time in Ireland and it's been incredible to meet members of the rugby and MND communities who have welcomed us with open arms. We're all excited to get to the Aviva to watch the game with Andrés – even though we'll be cheering on different sides!'
Edinburgh Reporter
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
Kenny Logan prepares for cycling challenge for Doddie charity
Scottish rugby legend Kenny Logan is preparing to lead a 555-mile cycling challenge around Ireland in memory of his friend and former teammate, Doddie Weir, OBE. The event aims to raise over £500,000 for My Name'5 Doddie Foundation and the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association. Logan will be joined by Doddie's son, Hamish Weir, and more than 50 fundraisers, celebrities and former players on Doddie's Lions Challenge – a week-long endurance ride inspired by the camaraderie and iconic spirit of a British & Irish Lions tour. Among the famous names saddling up are Scottish football legend Ally McCoist, broadcaster Gabby Logan, and Battlestar Galactica actor Jamie Bamber. The team will cycle approximately 100 miles a day across some of Ireland's most scenic and historic rugby heartlands. Stops will include origin clubs of famous Irish Lions players, with the challenge concluding at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, where the team will deliver the match ball ahead of Ireland's summer international against Argentina on Friday, June 20 for the 1888 Cup. Logan, who lost close friend Weir to motor neuron disease in 2022, said: 'We're not walking this time – I hated that part! We're doing it to raise money, yes – but more than that, we're doing it to give hope to people living with MND. Hope that we're getting closer to a cure. 'Since Doddie died, awareness has grown massively, but fundraising remains pivotal to maintain momentum. The Foundation has now committed nearly £20 million to MND research – which is fantastic, but it's only the beginning. Doddie would be proud – but he'd also be telling us to go further, faster. Until there's a cure, we keep going. That's what he would want, and it's what we owe him.' Paul Thompson, Director of Fundraising at My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, said: 'We're immensely proud to have committed almost £20 million to research, but there's still a long way to go. The only way we can invest in more research is through fundraising. 'Kenny's drive and his ability to bring people together – from all corners of the MND community and beyond – is incredible. The money raised by this challenge will make a real difference in our pursuit of effective treatments and, ultimately, a cure for MND. We'd love everybody to get behind it.' Earlier this year, the Foundation made its biggest single investment to date, committing £4 million to four pioneering MND research projects through its Discovery Network. The investment forms part of the charity's bold Catalysing a Cure strategy, which aims to accelerate scientific breakthroughs in the search for a cure. To support Doddie's Lions Challenge, click here. Attachment Details l-r-Archie-Curzon-Kenny-Logan-and-Jamie-Bamber-launch-Doddies-Lions-Challenge-image-courtesy-of-My-Name5-Doddie-Foundation-_-Logan-Sports-Marketing. Archie Curzon, Mel Deane, Kenny Logan, Gabby Logan, Mark Douglas, Jamie Bamber.j Like this: Like Related
The Independent
13-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Kenny Logan vows to ‘keep going' until MND cure found ahead of cycle challenge
Scottish rugby great Kenny Logan has pledged to 'keep going' until a cure for motor neurone disease (MND) is found, as he prepares to lead a 555-mile fundraising cycle challenge in memory of former teammate Doddie Weir. Doddie's Lions Challenge will see Logan joined by Weir's son Hamish and more than 50 celebrities and ex-players as they aim to raise more than £500,000 for the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation and the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association. Weir set up the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation in 2017, the year after he was diagnosed with MND. He died of the condition aged 52 in 2022. Among the famous names set to take part in the ride are former Scotland football international Ally McCoist, broadcaster and Kenny Logan's wife Gabby Logan, and Battlestar Galactica actor Jamie Bamber. The week-long endurance challenge, which is inspired by the British and Irish Lions tour later this year, will see the team cycle approximately 100 miles a day across the rugged terrain of some of Ireland's rugby heartlands. Stops along the way will include 'origin' clubs of famous Irish Lions players, and the challenge will end at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on June 20 where the team will deliver the match ball ahead of Ireland's match against Argentina. The event will be Logan's second major fundraiser for MND research, following 2023's Rugby World Cup Challenge from Edinburgh to Paris, which combined cycling and walking and raised almost £1 million for MND research. 'We're not walking this time – I hated that part,' Logan said. 'We're doing it to raise money, yes – but more than that, we're doing it to give hope to people living with MND. Hope that we're getting closer to a cure. 'Since Doddie died, awareness has grown massively but fundraising remains pivotal to maintain momentum. 'The foundation has now committed nearly £20 million to MND research – which is fantastic, but it's only the beginning. 'Doddie would be proud – but he'd also be telling us to go further, faster. 'Until there's a cure, we keep going. That's what he would want, and it's what we owe him.' Logan compared the camaraderie of the cycling challenge to that of a Lions tour, in which players from Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England are thrown together for matches against some of the world's best teams. Recalling a particularly poignant moment from the 2023 ride, Logan said: 'We came down a hill in France, above the clouds, and this yellow and blue balloon just appeared out of nowhere. 'I thought someone had arranged it – they hadn't. It was one of those moments where you felt like Doddie was with us. 'It's about hardship, yes, but more than that it's about the people. 'We started as strangers, but by the end we were teammates. That's what the Lions are all about – and it's what Doddie was all about too.' Paul Thompson, director of fundraising at My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, said they were 'immensely proud' to have committed almost £20 million to MND research. However, he said there is 'still a long way to go' and that the only way they can invest more is through fundraising. 'Kenny's drive and his ability to bring people together – from all corners of the MND community and beyond – is incredible,' he added. 'The money raised by this challenge will make a real difference in our pursuit of effective treatments and, ultimately, a cure for MND. We'd love everybody to get behind it.' Earlier this year, the foundation made its biggest single investment to date when it committed £4 million to four pioneering MND research projects as part of its Catalysing A Cure strategy, which aims to accelerate scientific breakthroughs. To support Doddie's Lions Challenge or find out more visit
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kenny Logan vows to ‘keep going' until MND cure found ahead of cycle challenge
Scottish rugby great Kenny Logan has pledged to 'keep going' until a cure for motor neurone disease (MND) is found, as he prepares to lead a 555-mile fundraising cycle challenge in memory of former teammate Doddie Weir. Doddie's Lions Challenge will see Logan joined by Weir's son Hamish and more than 50 celebrities and ex-players as they aim to raise more than £500,000 for the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation and the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association. Weir set up the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation in 2017, the year after he was diagnosed with MND. He died of the condition aged 52 in 2022. Among the famous names set to take part in the ride are former Scotland football international Ally McCoist, broadcaster and Kenny Logan's wife Gabby Logan, and Battlestar Galactica actor Jamie Bamber. The week-long endurance challenge, which is inspired by the British and Irish Lions tour later this year, will see the team cycle approximately 100 miles a day across the rugged terrain of some of Ireland's rugby heartlands. Stops along the way will include 'origin' clubs of famous Irish Lions players, and the challenge will end at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on June 20 where the team will deliver the match ball ahead of Ireland's match against Argentina. The event will be Logan's second major fundraiser for MND research, following 2023's Rugby World Cup Challenge from Edinburgh to Paris, which combined cycling and walking and raised almost £1 million for MND research. 'We're not walking this time – I hated that part,' Logan said. 'We're doing it to raise money, yes – but more than that, we're doing it to give hope to people living with MND. Hope that we're getting closer to a cure. 'Since Doddie died, awareness has grown massively but fundraising remains pivotal to maintain momentum. 'The foundation has now committed nearly £20 million to MND research – which is fantastic, but it's only the beginning. 'Doddie would be proud – but he'd also be telling us to go further, faster. 'Until there's a cure, we keep going. That's what he would want, and it's what we owe him.' Logan compared the camaraderie of the cycling challenge to that of a Lions tour, in which players from Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England are thrown together for matches against some of the world's best teams. Recalling a particularly poignant moment from the 2023 ride, Logan said: 'We came down a hill in France, above the clouds, and this yellow and blue balloon just appeared out of nowhere. 'I thought someone had arranged it – they hadn't. It was one of those moments where you felt like Doddie was with us. 'It's about hardship, yes, but more than that it's about the people. 'We started as strangers, but by the end we were teammates. That's what the Lions are all about – and it's what Doddie was all about too.' Paul Thompson, director of fundraising at My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, said they were 'immensely proud' to have committed almost £20 million to MND research. However, he said there is 'still a long way to go' and that the only way they can invest more is through fundraising. 'Kenny's drive and his ability to bring people together – from all corners of the MND community and beyond – is incredible,' he added. 'The money raised by this challenge will make a real difference in our pursuit of effective treatments and, ultimately, a cure for MND. We'd love everybody to get behind it.' Earlier this year, the foundation made its biggest single investment to date when it committed £4 million to four pioneering MND research projects as part of its Catalysing A Cure strategy, which aims to accelerate scientific breakthroughs. To support Doddie's Lions Challenge or find out more visit
