'Whatever your situation, make the most you can of each and every day; be nice to people and laugh as much as possible'
Doddie Weir has final word at special service to celebrate his life
Last updated 14th Mar 2023
Friends, family and fans of Doddie Weir have come together to remember the Scotland rugby legend.
Tartan and tears have filled the Greenyards, where the 52-year-old made his name playing rugby for Melrose.
During Monday afternoon's service, his son's - Hamish, Angus and Ben - read a poem celebrating the life of "The legendary mad giraffe", as he was known for his towering charges upfield.Â
There were also tributes from Doddie's former teammates - Carl Hogg, Rob Wainwright and the chairman of Scottish rugby, John Jeffrey.
But the final word went to Doddie himself who, after six years of battling motor neurone disease, said: "Whatever your situation, make the most you can of each and every day. Be nice to people, and laugh as much as possible."
In a message carried in the Order of Service for today's memorial at Melrose Parish Church, the 61-times capped lock, known for his colourful suits and big personality, said: "I hope you’ve had a bit of a laugh, maybe a wee cry and have taken on some of my own positive thinking.
And he joked: "When life gives you lemons, pop them into a large G&T. I have my own gin now, you know…. Cheers!"
Doddie's family have issued a statement thanking the public for their support throughout his illness.
Wife Kathy said: "As a family, we have been overwhelmed by the many messages we have received from all over the world. They have brought great comfort to me and the boys. We really appreciate people taking the time to share their own memories of Doddie and let us know we are in their thoughts."
Former Scotland players including Rob Wainwright, Gavin Hastings, Kenny Logan and Kelly Brown were among those arriving ahead of the 1pm service.
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend and predecessors including Sir Ian McGeechan and Frank Hadden were also present.
Former England internationals Bill Beaumont, Martin Johnson and Rob Andrew also attended, along with multiple Olympic gold medal-winning cyclist Sir Chris Hoy.
Speaking after the service, former Scotland teammate Scott Hastings (pictured above) said: "I looked over my shoulder at one point to see Ally McCoist there and thought: 'How did he get here, from being in Doha last night (reporting on the World Cup final)?'
"It's phenomenal. And yet that is the (measure) of Doddie Weir; he crossed all sports, all people - people from the farming community to the sporting community to the medical community, they were all represented here."
Doddie dedicated the final years of his life to finding a cure for motor neurone disease. And those attending today's service have vowed the fight will go on.
Scott added: "Doddie's legacy is to find a cure for MND - a world free of MND. And we'll do that, the brightest scientific minds will find a cure, but it needs resource; it needs money, it needs funds, it needs your funds."
The service ended with a rallying cry for people to sign up to next month's Doddie Aid, to help raise funds for the My Name's Doddie Foundation, which has already dedicated millions to research. To find out more, click here.