Tag: My Name5 Doddie

Thrifty renews partnership with MND charity My Name’5 Doddie Foundation

Thrifty Car & Van Rental – powered by Scot Group Ltd, the UK’s largest privately owned car and van rental business – has renewed its commitment to the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation charity for a sixth consecutive year.

The My Name’5 Doddie foundation raises funds to aid research into Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and to support fellow sufferers. The charity was set up in 2017 by rugby legend Doddie Weir shortly after he was diagnosed with the disease.

To date, Thrifty has raised over £300,000 for the cause through its fundraising activities. The business has provided regular donations, auction prizes, event fundraising and also supplied logistics support vehicles for MND events.

Last year, Thrifty UK Managing Director Martin Wilson joined Kenny Logan’s Edinburgh to Paris cycle ride to support the foundation.

Martin explains how the charity partnership came about: “I met Doddie more than 25 years ago when we were both playing for Newcastle Falcons Rugby Club.

“When Doddie was diagnosed with MND he faced it with such determination, setting up the incredible My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. It’s a cause close to our hearts at Thrifty and we’re very proud to continue our partnership supporting the mission to create a world free of MND.

“This year, we’re excited to be adding to our fundraising power by getting Scot Group’s new vehicle rental brand Switch involved too.’

Thrifty is highly focused on its corporate social responsibilities. The business aims to make a significant difference to thousands of lives through its charitable giving programme, which also supports Hospiscare, an adult hospice charity based in Devon.

Funding for Motor Neurone Disease research

The Scottish Government is teaming up with MND Scotland to fund research to investigate potential causes of and therapies for motor neurone disease (MND).

Each partner is contributing £125,000 to provide the opportunity for a clinical professional to undertake a PhD to both enhance MND research and MND clinical capacity in NHS Scotland. The three-year Clinical Academic Fellowship will start in 2024.

According to MND Scotland, in the UK, there is a 1 in 300 lifetime risk of getting MND and there is currently no cure or effective disease modifying treatment available. Average life expectancy following diagnosis is just 18 months.

Deputy First Minister Shona Robison announced the funding in Paris where she welcomed charity cyclists who had travelled from Edinburgh to raise funds for the MND charity My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.

Ms Robison said: “MND is a devastating condition, and we are committed to ensuring that all people living with MND in Scotland are able to access the best possible care and support.

“MND is incredibly distressing for the person with the condition and their family. The research funding in collaboration with MND Scotland will allow vital work to study the progression of the condition and help inform the development of future treatments.”

Dr Jane Haley, Director of Research at MND Scotland, said: “We are proud of our ongoing partnership with the Scottish Government. This is our third joint funded fellowship and will further build MND research capacity within the NHS in Scotland.

“MND is a brutal disease that affects too many lives. With this joint funding, we are taking a further step towards understanding the causes of MND and the search for effective treatments.

“We look forward to future collaborations with the Scottish Government, including ensuring that Scotland is equipped to roll out any emerging treatments for MND which may arise from the clinical trials currently underway.” 

Doddie ups donation to MND Scotland

In June last year, the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation donated £100,000 to support MND Scotland’s Grants Service to help people affected by Motor Neurone Disease (MND) with the financial burdens the disease brings.

International rugby player, Doddie Weir, who was diagnosed with MND in 2017, has now announced his foundation will up this contribution with another £50,000 donation towards MND Scotland’s grant scheme. Continue reading Doddie ups donation to MND Scotland