Annan Rugby club raises £1k in New Year 'Doddie dook'

All the money will be handed to the MND charity of the late Doddie Weir

Author: Alice FaulknerPublished 3rd Jan 2023

Annan Rugby Club is handing over £1,000 to the My Name's Doddie Foundation after welcoming in the new year with a dook at Powfoot.

Around 60 people between the ages of 10 and 70 came to plunge into the icy Solway waters, with plenty of spectators too.

The fundraiser came after the death of Doddie Weir, a Scottish rugby legend, who was diagnosed with MND six years ago.

There is currently no cure for the disease - something Doddie's charity is working to find.

'Rugby is a family'

Colin Warrick is vice president of Annan Rugby Club, and he told West Sound News it was only fitting the proceeds went to Doddie's Foundation, saying "rugby is a family".

He said: "It's been really difficult, and really hard.

"A lot of people saw the fight that Doddie put up - he wouldn't start that fight then stop it, so why should we?

"It's something we want to keep going as long as the Foundation is doing the good work, he was such an icon."

'He lit up the room'

Colin said the emotional tribute was close to his own heart: "The profile of MND has been raised a hell of a lot higher because of the work that Doddie did.

"It affects everyone - my aunt actually suffers from MND and her son was with us at the dook."

Colin said the dook was a welcome start to the new year, but also a time to reflect on what Doddie meant to the players: "Everybody saw the tributes that were made to him after his passing.

"When he came in, he lit up the room with his zest for life.

"Especially in the last six years having been diagnosed with MND, he never gave up."

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