Scotland star makes pledge ahead of service to celebrate life of former teammate Doddie Weir
Click on the link below to watch the service live from 1pm...
Last updated 19th Dec 2022
A former rugby star has vowed to keep Doddie Weir's fundraising legacy alive in a bid to find a cure for motor neurone disease (MND).
Rob Wainwright, who was captain for Scotland and the British and Irish Lions, was speaking ahead of a special service in the Scottish Borders today (Monday) to celebrate the life of the 61-times capped lock, who died last month - aged 52 - following a six-year battle with the muscle-wasting condition.
He founded Doddie Aid, which has raised around ÂŁ2 million for research into the disease since it was launched three years ago.
Wainwright told us: "People talk about Doddie's legacy; Doddie's legacy needs to be meaningful treatments for MND. His dream was a cure, and he was quite frustrated that nothing much had happened in the five or six years he was involved with the disease - as someone who suffered from MND, nothing had changed.
"Obviously there's been huge progress in terms of understanding the science, but that hasn't reached the next stage - which is finding treatments that might make a difference."
Wainwright cycled from Perth to Melrose yesterday to help raise awareness of next month's Doddie Aid event, and received a loud cheer as he arrived at the Greenyards.
When asked about his memories of the former Melrose, Newcastle and Border Reivers star, he replied: "I'm fairly sure the first time I met Doddie I was playing for (Edinburgh) Accies down here; and I'm sure he was either shooing me or I was squeezing his head into the mud, or something like that.
"And our relationship hasn't changed much, albeit it's always been with a smile. We struck it off very quickly and were lucky enough to play through the '90s together for Scotland and the Lions." And, he added: "It's just so sad to have lost him."
Representatives from the world of rugby, MND and farming communities, are expected to join Doddie's family for today's service, which gets underway at Melrose Parish Church at 1pm.
Everyone attending is being asked to wear a form of Tartan - at the request of Doddie, who was famous for his colourful suits.
Only 450 invited guests are allowed inside, but audio from the service will be relayed over the road to the Greenyards, where hundreds more are expected to gather.
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Reverend Rosemary Frew is conducting the service, along with the Reverend Victoria Linford. Ms Frew said: "Everywhere I have gone in the last few weeks, everyone has had a Doddie story - and they're always hilarious. He was a big character, absolutely. And he has made his mark - not just as a rugby player, not just as a rugby pundit, not just as a farmer, but I think in the last few years, championing the cause of motor neurone disease.
"This is a service for his family and friends, and his fans. And those who have found him an inspiration, it's a time for giving thanks for his life, a time for celebrating that life, a time for remembering his family for whom this is devastating.
"They've lost a husband, a father, a son; so I hope for them it will be a time when they get some comfort from coming together and just feel the pride that their husband, their dad, their son was this man who touched so many lives and so many hearts."
Scottish band Blazin' Fiddles - who penned a track in memory of Doddie - have announced they'll be performing at today's service.
Musician Bruce MacGregor, who revealed he was "honoured" to be asked, hopes their appearance could help push Doddie's Dream to the Christmas number one slot.
He said: "The words are made up by yourself - you decide what you're going to sing. Most people go: 'Doddie, Doddie, Doddie!' It's just one of those vocables used in traditional music, so it's great."
We've been told the Red Hot Chilli Pipers will kick things off with a performance on the pitch Doddie made his home at 12.30pm.
Phil Morris is from Melrose Rugby Club, which is helping to host the event. He said: "The church is essentially full, so we're opening up the Greenyards to anyone who's most welcome here.
"There will be audio and visual for people to watch, so they can feel like they're part of the service. There's bars open, we've set up picnic tables, so hopefully we can keep people warm and they can say their goodbye to Doddie in the way that they want."
The event's also being streamed online around the world by Scottish Rugby, but Yorkshire doctor Nick Morton - who lost his wife to motor neurone disease - says he felt it important to attend.
He said: "When she was diagnosed she told me about Doddie actually. She lived (with it) for 18 months. She was only 46, which is younger than Doddie. It's devastating, and I still miss her all the time." But he added: "Supporting Doddie has given me something to focus on."
A statue of Scottish comic strip star Oor Wullie, sporting Doddie's tartan and famous Number 5 shirt, has appeared in the car park at the Greenyards for visitors to pose for photographs.
People planning to attend the service at either the church or the Greenyards are being urged to wrap up warm and leave plenty of time.
St Mary's Road will be closed to all vehicles between 10am and 4pm, while parking will also be restricted on High Street, from St Mary’s Road to Buccleuch Street. But pedestrian access will be maintained.
A temporary one-way system will be in operation between Melrose and Newstead to allow parking along one side of Annay Road, and help the flow of traffic from the bypass, where a temporary 30mph speed limit will be in place.
Borders Buses have announced its services 60 and 61 will not operate through Newstead during this time. Passengers are instead advised to use the bus stops on the bypass.
A look back at Doddie over the years
Doddie Weir is pictured at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards at The P&J arena in Aberdeen in 2019.
Doddie Weir breathes a sigh of relief as he scores a try for Scotland in a Five Nations match against Ireland in 1997.
Doddie and his wife Kathy meet the Queen, and Duke of Buccleuch, during a garden party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.
Captain Doddie Weir celebrates a victory at Newcastle Falcons.
Doddie turned out for the Barbarians in a friendly against Wales in 2002.
Doddie Weir and his family walk out with the Doddie Weir Cup ahead of the Wales v Scotland match in Cardiff in 2018.
Doddie is pictured with wife Kathy and their three sons (from left) Hamish, Ben and Angus, after receiving his OBE from the Queen at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.