Doddie Weir: All I want for Christmas...
Scottish rugby legend reveals his festive wish-list
Last updated 24th Dec 2020
As we look forward to unwrapping our presents tomorrow (Friday), Scottish rugby legend Doddie Weir says all he wants for Christmas is to find a cure for Motor Neurone Disease.
The former Scotland and British Lions star has helped raise almost £6 million for research into the muscle-wasting condition since he was diagnosed four years ago.
And his charity - the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation - has also given almost £1 million to MND Scotland and MND Association to support other people suffering from the terminal illness.
Speaking to the Tackling Scottish Rugby podcast, Doddie said: "I do enjoy Christmas. I think it's a great time to reflect on what's going on.
"I prefer it much better than New Year because Christmas, to me, is probably a week-long event - a couple of days to build-up, then the big one on Christmas Day, and then Boxing Day used to be pretty mental in the old days with the Gala-Melrose rugby match.
"I think my wish-list is probably surpassed in some way because I got diagnosed in 2016, just before Christmas, and didn't really think I would still be here in some ways, so the Christmas thereafter I thought was quite a major celebration.
"My kids, bless them, pretty much got everything they wanted on their list, and they're not so happy now 'cause I'm still living - still here - four Christmases down; and with that they don't get as spoilt as they did back there in 2016."
Joking aside, he added: "My wish-list basically is trying to see another Christmas if I can. I've been very lucky so far to see quite a number, which makes me smile a little bit."
LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE: The Tackling Scottish Rugby Podcast follows stars of the current game and legends of the past
There is currently no cure or effective treatment for MND and the average life expectancy from diagnosis is just 20 months.
Doddie said: "I think the New Year resolution has to be that we've got to work hard to get a cure for MND, which will be difficult; but if not, certainly a stoppage. Because once you get diagnosed, if you can stop it where you are it's not the end of the world.
"I've been very lucky, 'cause the average life expectancy with MND is two years, so I've kind of doubled that. So I feel very fortunate.
"I'd like to thank everyone on Christmas Eve for their kind support and generosity."
And he added: "My advice would be to really embrace Christmas and the New Year for what it is, with your family, because you just don't know what's round the corner."
To find out how you can support Doddie, and his Foundation, in their fight against Motor Neurone Disease, click here - https://www.myname5doddie.co.uk/donate