Doddie Weir OBE has today been announced as the 2019 winner of our Inspiring Leader Award and will be presented with his Award at our Awards Dinner on the 24th of May at the Kimpton Hotel in Edinburgh. We are absolutely delighted for Doddie and it is a richly deserved accolade for someone who is a true inspiration. The Inspiring Leader Award is voted for by our WeDO Executive teams and recognises an individual who has, through their energy, enthusiasm and motivation, demonstrated exceptional inspirational and leadership qualities.
Until 2 years ago, Doddie was best known for his rugby career, earning 61 caps for Scotland, however, in June 2017, he revealed he was suffering from Motor Neuron Disease. From the outset, he has been driven to help fellow sufferers & seek ways to further research into this, as yet, incurable disease. My Name’5 Doddie Foundation was founded in November 2017 by Doddie and a board of trustees including his wife Kathy and many of rugby’s most renowned players.
To date, the Foundation has committed over £2 million towards research projects at centres of excellence across the UK to help fund a cure for Motor Neuron Disease. Additionally, they have given a total of £350,000 to MND Scotland and MND Association. This is distributed as grants on behalf of the foundation and helps pay for adaptations to homes and funds respite care for carers.
Belinda Roberts, our founder, commenting on the Inspiring Leader Award said:
“We are absolutely thrilled to announce that Doddie has won our 2019 Inspiring Leader Award. He has not only inspired rugby fans and the Scottish nation, his reach and what he has achieved with the Foundation has inspired people throughout the UK and globally which is nothing short of phenomenal. He has worked tirelessly to not only increase awareness of Motor Neuron Disease but also to raise incredible amounts of money through fundraising. The commitment and selflessness he has shown in helping others affected with MND is incredible and is demonstrated in equal measure by the generous efforts of those who have fundraised on behalf of the Foundation. We have watched the inspirational work that Doddie has done in sheer admiration and it was a unanimous decision that Doddie is the worthy winner of this Award.”
Doddie Weir commented:
“I am delighted to receive this award and would like to thank Belinda and everyone at WeDO Scotland for their kind words and support. The work of My Name’5 Doddie Foundation is a team effort and we have been blown away by the response we have received since we launched the charity at Murrayfield eighteen months ago. We are determined to do all we can to help find a cure for this devastating disease and support people who receive this terrible diagnosis. WeDO Scotland has come on board to work with us and we look forward to maximising this opportunity and I would like to thank them for this commitment. I would like to congratulate all the other nominees and look forward to enjoying the Awards Dinner next month in Edinburgh.”
We are also excited to announce today that our newly nominated charity partner will be My Name’5 Doddie Foundation and their first fundraising effort will be at our 2019 Scottish Business Awards. The event will see the top business talent in Scotland being awarded with some of the most highly respected Scottish Awards in 9 categories including the Inspiring Leader Award. Further fundraising events are planned in the coming months.
Commenting on the partnership with WeDO, Jill Douglas, CEO of My Name’5 Doddie Foundation said:
“We are really excited to be working with the team at WeDO Scotland and would like to thank them for their support. The business community in Scotland has been amazing since we launched the Foundation in 2017 and we are delighted to be involved with such an innovative and proactive group, I know we will all benefit from this new partnership.”
A limited number of Early Bird tickets are now on sale for the Awards at which we will be fundraising for My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, you can find out more by clicking HERE.
If you would like to donate a raffle or auction prize, please email us on [email protected]
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