First Minister John Swinney launches the Doddie Aid 2025 campaign
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney launches the Doddie Aid 2025 campaign at Murrayfield stadium.
Article Source: Message Matters
Last Updated: 29 December 2024 14:24
The FM signed up to take part in the fundraiser launched by former Scotland rugby star Doddie Weir as he met other supporters warming up for it at Murrayfield in Edinburgh yesterday (Saturday). Doddie Aid is the Foundation’s single largest fundraising campaign. It takes place from 1 January every year for five weeks, with thousands of supporters signing up to take part in the personal exercise challenge. Participants pay £20 to enter and record their exercise miles on the Doddie Aid app. All forms of exercise count, including running, cycling, swimming, dancing and walking.
Everyone who signs up receives one of the striking snoods now inextricably linked with the campaign's work.
For the first time, Doddie Aid participants will be split into the four nations of Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales and will compete to see which nation can log the most number of miles over the five weeks of the campaign.
Speaking ahead of signing up to take part in Doddie Aid 2025, First Minister John Swinney said: “Doddie Weir is an inspiration to people across Scotland – as both a sportsman and a campaigner. And the research into MND through his Foundation is a powerful legacy.
“We need to understand this terrible condition better and find a cure - Doddie Aid and the Foundation are making a huge contribution to this mission, and I am delighted to play a small personal part in their efforts this year.”
My Name’5 Doddie Foundation was set up by former Scotland and British Lions player Doddie Weir in 2017 to raise funds for research into motor neuron disease. Since that time, the Foundation has committed over £18 million in research into effective treatments and a cure for MND, but this remains a challenging disease with few treatments and no cure.
● Motor Neuron Disease is a complex disease that affects the behaviour of motor neurons in the body. Motor neurons carry signals from the brain directly to muscles; when the motor neurons are affected, the muscles become progressively weaker. MND is a fast progressing neurological condition. The disease affects one in 300 people in the UK, and takes the life of a third of sufferers within one year of diagnosis, and half within two years. As yet there are very few effective treatments for MND and no cure.
● Research is key in bringing an end to MND, and in the seven years since its formation the Foundation has committed £18 million in grants for research activities. The projects funded fall into two categories:
Pre-clinical i.e. lab-based work to discover, test and learn before conducting studies in
humans
Clinical studies – i.e. testing the most promising treatments in people living with MND
Photos by Jamie Simpson / My Name’5 Doddie Foundation
Sponsored Links
Latest East Renfrewshire News
Full Casting Announced for Restless Natives: The Musical
Kirsty MacLaren, Kyle Gardiner and Finlay McKillop lead a multi-talented ensemble as the Clown and the Wolfman take to the road once again!
READ MORE
Dobbies launches spring with special shopping weekend
Dobbies Garden Centres is inviting the nation to get excited for the busiest season in the gardener's calendar with its Spring Launch Weekend, taking place 6-10 March!
READ MORE
The UK Pantomime Association announces major sponsorship partnership with Trafalgar Entertainment and ATG Entertainment
The UK Pantomime Association is delighted to announce a significant new sponsorship partnership with Trafalgar Entertainment and ATG Entertainment (ATGE).
READ MORE
Arriving near you! Adventure Cinema returns for special Summer screenings under the stars
The UK's largest outdoor cinema, Adventure Cinema announces its most spectacular season to date with incredible films at new magical locations!
READ MORE
Free gardening workshops at Dobbies this March
Dobbies Garden Centres is hosting two free workshops this March for gardeners of all ages; Prepare to Propagate and Beyond the Secret Garden.
READ MORE
Snap up free tickets to The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show in Glasgow or Edinburgh
The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show, Scotland's only dedicated consumer exhibition for self-builders, home renovators and improvers, is back and we have free tickets up for grabs!
READ MORE
Thornliebank Primary pupils help unveil new artwork and town centre improvements
Thornliebank Primary pupils joined councillors, contractors and the project team to help unveil the latest project in a programme of over £600k UK and Scottish Government investment in Thornliebank.
READ MORE
Roblox hits the big screen at Vue Cinemas
British kids will go head-to-head on Roblox to be crowned the Gaming Challenge UK champion.
READ MORE
Aldi Scotland Announces CHAS as the Official Charity Partner for its 2025 Supermarket Sweep
Aldi Scotland has proudly announced Children's Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) as the official charity partner of its long running and hugely popular Supermarket Sweep initiative for 2025.
READ MORE
Hop along to Dobbies this Easter
Dobbies Garden Centres is welcoming families and four-legged friends to hop along and get set for spring at its brand-new Easter-themed events, taking place across the UK.
READ MORE
Thousands of preloved books for children to find new homes through Asda instore donation points in Scotland
The initiative enables customers across the UK to donate pre-loved children's books in-store, for onward gifting to families with fewer books of their own.
READ MORE
Leisure centre and theatre gets the green light
Planning permission has been granted for a new leisure centre and theatre in Eastwood Park.
READ MORE
Marstons is going marmalade mad in celebration of Paddington in Peru
To celebrate the Home Release of Paddington in Peru, Marston's has created a limited-edition marmalade-inspired children's menu, which will be available in over 250 Marston's pubs nationwide!
READ MORE
Scots charity calls on young Scottish poets for national campaign
Communities across Scotland are being invited to make a visible show of support for LGBTQ+ young people this Purple Friday.
READ MORE
From Barra to Buenos Aires: Worldwide Gaelic celebration just around the corner
The Gaelic language is set to be celebrated around the world in less than two weeks' time as Seachdain na Gàidhlig, World Gaelic Week, gets set to return from 24th February - 2nd March.
READ MORE
Eastwood Park Theatre announces line up for 2025
Eastwood Park Theatre has announced its brand new programme of live music, comedy, drama, family entertainment, cinema screenings and more for 2025.
READ MORE
Hostelling Scotland launches appeal for Gen Z board members to help put the youth back into hostelling
THE organisation behind one of Scotland's most historic travel traditions is calling for young people to join its board as it seeks to capitalise on a surge in interest amongst Gen Z travellers.
READ MORE
Environmental focus at East Renfrewshire Libraries
East Renfrewshire Libraries have partnered with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) to deliver a brand new programme of events and activities.
READ MORE
The Scottish Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Home Show returns to Glasgow
Here's everything you need to know about the biggest show of its kind in Scotland!
READ MORE
Stellar line up of leaders unite to influence a better future of work in Scotland
Award winning authors, a former SAS soldier, along with HR leaders from Scotland’s top employers are among the speakers for the CIPD Scotland Annual Conference, 2025.
READ MORE
Brand new experience to celebrate Mothers Day at Dobbies
This March, Dobbies Garden Centres is offering a new hands-on Mother's Day experience, combining a luxury Afternoon Tea with a seasonal planting workshop.
READ MORE
Three community projects are to receive funding to plant more trees in cities and towns across Scotland
A community orchard, tree planting and community wellbeing initiative and a local nature reserve are the first projects to benefit from the Urban Forestry Programme.
READ MORE
Free and great value half term activities at Dobbies
Dobbies Garden Centres is offering great value entertainment for families this February half term.
READ MORE
itison Us charity call out
itison Us have thousands of free respite experiences available for small Scottish charities.
READ MORE
Pavilion Festival Unveils 2025 Lineup with James, Ewan McVicar, Annie Mac, Ben Hemsley, Happy Mondays and more
Pavilion Festival has today announced the huge lineup for its third year on Ayr Beach with James, Annie Mac, Happy Mondays, Ewan McVicar, Ben Hemsley and more playing live!
READ MORE
Council marks Holocaust Memorial Day
East Renfrewshire Council hosted this year's Holocaust Memorial Day event on Wednesday 29th January and the theme was For A Better Future.
READ MORE
Trust launches storm appeal following extensive damage across Scotland
The National Trust for Scotland has launched an appeal to support emergency work needed to deal with the devastating destruction caused by Storm Éowyn.
READ MORE
Galactic Carnival is landing in Glasgow
Scotland’s favourite out-of-this-world event, Galactic Carnival, is preparing to launch in Glasgow this spring, promising an intergalactic adventure packed with thrills!
READ MORE
Scottish Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Home Show launches a mythical map of Scotland with lead Scottish tour company
The biggest show of its kind in Scotland has partnered with Andy The Highlander to create an Enchanted Map of Scotland's most enchanted locations.
READ MORE
Scottish hospitality group serves up new digital loyalty scheme to cut customer bills
Scottish hospitality group, Signature, has launched an innovative new digital loyalty scheme to help cost-conscious customers save money dining out.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links