cottish rugby star Kenny Logan and a crew of celebrities have set off on a 700-mile endurance problem from Edinburgh to Paris to boost cash for the charity arrange by the late Doddie Weir.
The 20-strong crew set off on Sunday on their mission to ship the match ball for the Scotland v Eire Pool B Rugby World Cup qualification decider on Saturday October 7.
Former Rangers supervisor and footballer Ally McCoist and actor Jamie Bamber are amongst these participating, whereas tv presenter Kirsty Gallacher and actor James Nesbitt will be a part of at a later stage.
The fundraisers have to this point raised greater than £280,000 in direction of their goal of elevating £555,000 for Doddie Weir’s charity the My Identify’5 Doddie Basis, which funds analysis into motor neurone illness (MND).
The inspiration was launched in 2017 by Weir who died final November aged 52 after residing with MND for six years.
Sporting stars together with Paula Radcliffe, Peter Crouch, and Denise Lewis are amongst those that have despatched messages of help to these participating.
Logan, a good friend of Weir, determined to tackle the problem throughout restoration from prostate most cancers final yr.
At present, folks with MND don’t have sufficient remedy choices – and that’s why we’re doing this for the My Identify’5 Doddie Basis, in order that sooner or later, everybody in Doddie’s place may have a greater likelihood
He mentioned it might be a “brutal problem” however that the help that they had acquired forward of the occasion was “a large motivator”.
Logan mentioned: “It’s laborious to place into phrases what Doddie meant to me, my household, and the rugby and MND communities world wide.
“He was probably the most loving, sort and brave individual I knew, all of which drove him to combat his MND so laborious for thus lengthy and be a champion for others residing with the illness, elevating thousands and thousands of kilos alongside the best way.
“Coaching has concerned a gruelling schedule – with a number of challenges alongside the best way – however we’re right here and assured we will do it for Doddie.
“At present, folks with MND don’t have sufficient remedy choices – and that’s why we’re doing this for the My Identify’5 Doddie Basis, in order that sooner or later, everybody in Doddie’s place may have a greater likelihood.
“Let’s all come collectively to complete what Doddie began and discover a remedy for MND.”
Beginning in Edinburgh, the stroll and cycle will see the crew journey round 100 miles a day from Newcastle to York and on to Belvoir Fortress in Grantham, then to Marlow and Brighton.
They are going to then take the ferry to Mont Vernon and onward to the grand finale in Paris forward of the Scotland v Eire match on October 7.
The problem takes place forward of Doddie Help 2024, a My Identify’5 Doddie Basis nationwide fundraising occasion the place contributors rally to boost as a lot cash as potential for MND analysis.