Guest blog by NFU Mutual
3 minute read
A team of eight Scots have raised over £42,000 by completing a tough 24-hour coast to coast challenge in aid of My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.
The participants, a group of friends and colleagues from Melrose in the Scottish Borders, comprised: Jamie Murray, Scott Wight, Allan Dodds, Barbara Shiel, Steven Shiel, Mathew Wilkie, Wayne Mitchell and Rory Murray had set a target of £24,000 and were thrilled to raise almost double the amount.
The 174-mile challenge, which started at Port Patrick on the west coast and finished at Cove on the east, was supported by leading rural insurer, NFU Mutual as main sponsor. The route encompassed the start and finish points of the Southern Upland Way. The challenger included cycling, kayaking, running and walking legs, ranging from a 90.3 mile cycle to a 2.3 mile kayak.
Rory Murray, challenge participant and Agent for NFU Mutual’s Newtown St Boswells and Duns office, said: “We simply cannot put into words the delight we have at raising over £42,000 for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. We know that this will go directly to helping find a cure for this horrible disease and supporting families in their time of need.
“From our headline sponsor’s NFU Mutual to a kindly donated box of tray bake, every single sponsor and donation has made the journey so much more worthwhile, knowing we were helping to make a difference. A challenge like this one couldn’t have been completed without the outstanding work of our dedicated support crew, ably managed by Steven Holisz. It really was a huge team effort.
“The biggest thrill of the day was saved for arriving in to see Doddie and Kathy Weir at their home and enjoy a nice cold “Refreshment” and catch up with Doddie, his family and friends. Doddie’s love for life and fighting spirit was on full display and just when we were all beginning to feel too tired to carry on, Doddie and Kathy’s strength pushed us on to complete our challenge and reach our finish line at 11:30pm.
“We were all absolutely thrilled to see how all parts of Southern Scotland came out to support our cause, including all our rest stops from Portpatrick’s Community Hub, Moffat Rugby Club, Melrose Football Club, The Lauderdale Hotel and Duns Rugby Club.
“I grew up in Melrose where Doddie played his rugby, so he was always a hero of mine. Since discovering his diagnosis, I have been in awe of my rugby hero’s brave fight against MND through his work with the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. It fills me with pride to know that we are, in a small way, helping in this cause.”
Jill Douglas, Chief Executive of the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation said, "Congratulations to everyone for completing their ambitious Coast to Coast in 24 hours Challenge.
“I’d like to thank everyone at NFU Mutual for their wonderful support for My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. The Coast to Coast in 24 Hours Challenge was a magnificent achievement.
“It not only raised significant funds for the Foundation, but also raised awareness around MND and our work to help find a cure and support people living with this devastating disease. Every day, six people are diagnosed with MND across the UK. A third will die within a year…and half will die within two years of diagnosis.
“Currently we are supporting some amazing research projects and clinical trials to help find meaningful treatments and, one day, a cure for motor neuron disease. This is only possible through the support of fundraisers like Rory and his fellow challenge participants and wider team.”
- NFU Mutual are headline sponsors of The GWCT Scottish Game Fair, taking place 24-26 September - book your tickets here >