Details of special service to celebrate the life of Doddie Weir revealed
And the Scottish rugby legend has a special request for all those planning to attend...
Last updated 30th Nov 2022
Details have been announced of a special service to celebrate the life of Scotland rugby legend Doddie Weir.
The 52-year-old died on Saturday, following a six-year battle with Motor Neurone Disease.
And, while it's understood his funeral is being kept private, the public are being invited to pay their respects at a memorial event in the Borders.
Everyone attending the service at Melrose Parish Church is being requested to wear a form of Tartan - by Doddie himself, who was known for sporting tartan suits.
The event will take place on Monday, December the 19th, at 1pm.
And, although numbers will be restricted at the venue (the church has a capacity of 500), organisers say the service will be relayed to The nearby Greenyards, home of Melrose Rugby Club, where Doddie spent many a happy season as both player and supporter.
A statement from the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, which was set-up following his diagnosis to raise funds to help people with MND, reads: "A service to celebrate Doddie’s life will be held at Melrose Parish Church on Monday, December 19th, at 1pm.
"Numbers will be restricted within the church therefore the service will be sound relayed to The Greenyards, Melrose Rugby Club. All are welcome to attend.
"Please wear any form of Tartan as requested by Doddie. No flowers please. Donations if desired may be sent to My Name’5 Doddie Foundation."
The former Melrose and Border Reivers star - who won 61 caps for his country and toured with the British Lions - was best known in recent years for his work campaigning to find a cure for Motor Neurone Disease.
He went public with his diagnosis in June 2017 and has since gone on to raise millions of pounds for a charity set up in his name.
His family have described their "beloved husband and father" as "an inspirational force of nature".
READ MORE: Former Scotland coach reveals shock at Doddie's death
In a statement, they said: "We are lucky to have shared out lives with him and we cherish all those memories: his love and warmth, his support and advice, his quick wit, and his terrible jokes. It is difficult to put into words how much we will miss him.
"MND took so much from Doddie, but never his spirit and determination. He battled MND so bravely, and whilst his own battle may be over, his fight continues through his foundation, until a cure is found for all those with this devastating disease."
GALLERY: A look back at Doddie through 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.