The Foundation set up by former Scotland rugby player Doddie Weir has donated £30,000 to support MND Scotland during the current Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The money is on top of the £250,000 the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation has already contributed to MND Scotland’s grants programme.
Doddie, who revealed his MND diagnosis in June 2017, set up the Foundation to help others with the rapidly progressing terminal illness and fund research towards a cure.
The My Name’5 Doddie Foundation has now stepped up its support during the current crisis by pledging a further £30,000 to MND Scotland for Coronavirus response work. The Foundation has also donated £70,000 to the MND Association of England, Wales and Northern Ireland to help support families across the UK during the pandemic.
Doddie said: “Having MND puts people in the high risk category of Coronavirus because our respiratory systems are already compromised. That means right now is a very worrying time for us.
“I am determined to do as much as I can to help alleviate some of those concerns. The money will be used by the MND Association in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and by MND Scotland to shore up the support they are offering people with MND at this time.”
Craig Stockton, chief executive of MND Scotland, said: “People with MND are among the most vulnerable in our society and during this very uncertain time, they need us more than ever.
“We are working tirelessly to develop and change the ways in which we support families affected by MND in Scotland, and this boost from Doddie’s foundation will help us stay connected to people when they need us most.”
Sally Light is the chief executive of the MND Association. She said: “We are working really hard to ensure our vital work supporting people with MND continues during the current crisis, while also seeing a dramatic fall in our income following the postponement of so many key events in our fundraising calender.
“We are so grateful to Doddie for this donation which will enable us to continue and step up our support of people living with MND at this very worrying time.”