Latest news with #MyName5DoddieFoundation
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Edinburgh golfer set for 'bold and brilliant' challenge in honour of late rugby star
An Edinburgh man is playing 25 rounds of golf over five days in honour of a late rugby star who died of motor neurone disease (MND). George "Doddie" Weir, a Scottish rugby union player, died in 2022, aged 52. Inspired by the star's struggle, Graeme Smeaton aims to raise £25,000 for MND research through the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, a charity launched in the nickname of the player. Mr Smeaton will walk a total of 125 miles, hit over 2,000 shots, and will have less than 25 hours of sleep over the five days. He will be joined by former Scotland rugby internationals John Barclay, Andy Irvine, and Roger Baird will join him across the week to keep pace and morale high. In memory of Doddie, he will wear Royal and Awesome's limited-edition Doddie tartan, 15 per cent of each sale goes to the charity. READ MORE: Huge delays on Edinburgh Bypass as drivers urged to 'use caution' READ MORE: 'Our Edinburgh scheme has a reputation for being tough - but it's misunderstood' Graeme Smeaton, founder of Royal & Awesome golf, takes on the challenge from June 2-6. His JustGiving page had already amassed over £2,000 in donations by Monday morning. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox The rounds will be played on East Lothian courses Gullane, Luffness, Kilspindie and Longniddry. Ahead of the feat, Mr Smeaton said: "These courses are where I fell in love with golf. "So to take on this challenge here, for a cause as meaningful as My Name'5 Doddie Foundation's feels incredibly special. I'm aiming to raise £25,000 but the main goal is to raise awareness of the incredible work the Foundation does to raise vital funds for MND research. "This is nothing compared to what people living with MND go through every day. I just want to do my bit - and hopefully inspire donations along the way." Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. Also joining will be Doddie's son Hamish Weir and friends and family of MND campaigner Scott Stewart, who lost his battle with MND in December 2024. Paul Thompson, director of fundraising and communications at My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, said: "Graeme's challenge is bold, brilliant, and full of heart, exactly the kind of energy Doddie brought to life. "We're incredibly grateful for his support and can't wait to see him take on all 25 rounds. He's doing something extraordinary to help fund vital research and raise awareness of MND." Mr Smeaton will be posting about the challenge on his Instagram account. Find out more information on Graeme's JustGiving page here.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Man with MND running marathon to inspire others
A former doctor with motor neurone disease (MND) is preparing to run a marathon as a way of "showing others what's possible". Andy Vaughton, from Poole in Dorset, was diagnosed with the condition in 2021. The 47-year-old is taking part in the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon - organised in memory of the rugby league footballer - on Sunday, and will be using slings to support his weakened arms. He is fundraising for the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, which was created by former Scottish rugby icon Doddie Weir and supports MND research and those affected by the condition. "This is about showing that it's still possible to do something meaningful with the time you have," Mr Vaughton said. "This is about more than finishing, it's about making memories and showing others what's possible." He said he knew there would be "dark moments" during the 26.2 mile (42km) run, but also knew he would have "people beside me". The former anaesthetist was diagnosed with the condition during the Covid-19 pandemic. "It was utterly devastating – your whole life collapses in on itself," he explained. "It affects everything – family, friends, work, the future you thought you had." Shortly after, the father-of-three received a call from British and Irish Lions legend Weir - who himself was living with MND. Mr Vaughton said the call was "life-changing". "Even though his voice was failing, he made time to talk. He told me to live in the moment, to stay positive. That call meant everything to me." Weir died from MND in 2022 but has lived on through his foundation - which Mr Vaughton's marathon has already raised more than £25,000 for. "My life crumbled around me, but I'm determined to live well for as long as possible," he said. "I have friends who've since passed away who weren't fortunate enough to get this time, so I have to make the most of it." There is no cure for MND, which affects about 5,000 adults in the UK, and the average life expectancy after diagnosis is two to three years, according to the MND Association. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Wait for motor neurone disease diagnosis 'so long' MND patient urges people to join new year parkrun My Name'5 Doddie Foundation Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Man with MND running marathon to inspire others
A former doctor with motor neurone disease (MND) is preparing to run a marathon as a way of "showing others what's possible". Andy Vaughton, from Poole in Dorset, was diagnosed with the condition in 2021. The 47-year-old is taking part in the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon - organised in memory of the rugby league footballer - on Sunday, and will be using slings to support his weakened arms. He is fundraising for the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, which was created by former Scottish rugby icon Doddie Weir and supports MND research and those affected by the condition. "This is about showing that it's still possible to do something meaningful with the time you have," Mr Vaughton said. "This is about more than finishing, it's about making memories and showing others what's possible." He said he knew there would be "dark moments" during the 26.2 mile (42km) run, but also knew he would have "people beside me". The former anaesthetist was diagnosed with the condition during the Covid-19 pandemic. "It was utterly devastating – your whole life collapses in on itself," he explained. "It affects everything – family, friends, work, the future you thought you had." Shortly after, the father-of-three received a call from British and Irish Lions legend Weir - who himself was living with MND. Mr Vaughton said the call was "life-changing". "Even though his voice was failing, he made time to talk. He told me to live in the moment, to stay positive. That call meant everything to me." Weir died from MND in 2022 but has lived on through his foundation - which Mr Vaughton's marathon has already raised more than £25,000 for. "My life crumbled around me, but I'm determined to live well for as long as possible," he said. "I have friends who've since passed away who weren't fortunate enough to get this time, so I have to make the most of it." There is no cure for MND, which affects about 5,000 adults in the UK, and the average life expectancy after diagnosis is two to three years, according to the MND Association. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Wait for motor neurone disease diagnosis 'so long' MND patient urges people to join new year parkrun My Name'5 Doddie Foundation Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon
BBC News
10-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Rob Burrow marathon 'about more than finishing', says man with MND
A former doctor with motor neurone disease (MND) is preparing to run a marathon as a way of "showing others what's possible".Andy Vaughton, from Poole in Dorset, was diagnosed with the condition in 47-year-old is taking part in the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon - organised in memory of the rugby league footballer - on Sunday, and will be using slings to support his weakened is fundraising for the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, which was created by former Scottish rugby icon Doddie Weir and supports MND research and those affected by the condition. "This is about showing that it's still possible to do something meaningful with the time you have," Mr Vaughton said."This is about more than finishing, it's about making memories and showing others what's possible."He said he knew there would be "dark moments" during the 26.2 mile (42km) run, but also knew he would have "people beside me". The former anaesthetist was diagnosed with the condition during the Covid-19 pandemic."It was utterly devastating – your whole life collapses in on itself," he explained. "It affects everything – family, friends, work, the future you thought you had."Shortly after, the father-of-three received a call from British and Irish Lions legend Weir - who himself was living with Vaughton said the call was "life-changing"."Even though his voice was failing, he made time to talk. He told me to live in the moment, to stay positive. That call meant everything to me." Weir died from MND in 2022 but has lived on through his foundation - which Mr Vaughton's marathon has already raised more than £25,000 for."My life crumbled around me, but I'm determined to live well for as long as possible," he said."I have friends who've since passed away who weren't fortunate enough to get this time, so I have to make the most of it."There is no cure for MND, which affects about 5,000 adults in the UK, and the average life expectancy after diagnosis is two to three years, according to the MND Association. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
