Tag: My Name'5 Doddie Foundation

Local bands to play every Beatles album in a marathon of music for leading MND charity 

LIVE MUSIC CHARITY EVENT AT PORTOBELLO TOWN HALL

SATURDAY 14th NOVEMBER

Over 11 hours of music by 12 Edinburgh bands, playing 13 albums by The Beatles for charity.

Talented bands from across Scotland are taking part in The Beatles Marathon UK, a day-long musical journey held at Portobello Town Hall on Saturday 14th November 2026, starting at midday. Bands will play all 13 studio albums by The Beatles to raise money for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. 

This is the third Marathon, after hugely successful events in 2023 and 2024 raised over £21,000 for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, founded by late rugby legend Doddie Weir who was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease (MND) in 2017.

Money raised for the Foundation is used to support those suffering from the disease, their families, and ultimately funds research to find a cure. 

For co-founders Scott and Stuart McGachan, the Marathon is deeply personal. Growing up alongside their older sister Clare, there was never a moment without music at home. The trio were raised by their parents Pat and Moira on a musical diet of Gerry Rafferty, Simon & Garfunkel, Fleetwood Mac, and – of course – The Beatles. 

In 2021, Pat was diagnosed with MND and his health quickly deteriorated. MND affects the brain and nerves, causing weakness that gets worse with time. There is no cure – only treatments to reduce the impact it has on a person’s life. 

Over 11 hours of music by 12 Edinburgh bands, playing 13 albums by The Beatles for charity.

Stuart, who had now moved to the US, had hoped to take his father to Sgt. Peppercorn’s Marathon in his hometown of Columbus, Ohio, where a single band takes on the entire Beatles catalogue over the course of a day. But Pat’s health meant that travelling to the US was not an option. 

It was clear that the Marathon would have to come to Pat, and so Stuart and Scott founded The Beatles Marathon UK, hoping that their father would be able to enjoy all of the hits by the fab four one last time. Sadly, it was not to be, and Pat passed away just weeks before the first event in 2023. 

The Beatles Marathon UK now stands as a tribute to Pat and all those fighting MND. Funds raised during the event will empower the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation to support individuals like Pat, and provide much-needed assistance to families like the McGachans as they navigate through one of the most challenging chapters of their lives. 

This year’s event will feature a digital release of Pat’s version of ‘I’ve Just Seen a Face’, sung by Pat himself. With parallels to the production of ‘Now and Then’, released by The Beatles in 2023, the McGachan family were able to isolate Pat’s vocals from a 2016 demo he recorded.

Pat’s composition of the 1965 track, which he called the “cowboy version”, has been professionally recorded with a little help from his friends and family who play on the recording. 

This process gave those involved one final opportunity to play and sing in harmony with Pat. The result is a beautiful and heartfelt rendition, true to Pat’s vision. The record will be released on streaming platforms in the lead-up to the Marathon, and Scott’s band Unrising Sun will play Pat’s version of ‘I’ve Just Seen a Face’ on the night, featuring guest appearances. 

Over 11 hours of music by 12 Edinburgh bands, playing 13 albums by The Beatles for charity.

Tickets for this year’s Beatles Marathon UK are on sale and selling fast. They can be purchased through the event’s website at www.BeatlesMarathon.com. The event is family-friendly, with free entry for under 6s and discounted tickets for under 18s. Food and drink is on offer from local vendors, and additional entertainment is available for children. 

Bands playing at this year’s Marathon include Sebastian Dangerfield, Broken by Rock, Hard Dave’s Night, The Charles Hawtrey Band, Unrising Sun, Jumbo Gibson, Mountain People, Kings of Marigold, The Bad Eggs, Lollapaloosers, and Eight Arms to Hold You.

Doddie Weir Foundation donates £150k to MND charities

The My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, founded by rugby legend Doddie Weir, has donated £50,000 to charity MND Scotland and £100,000 to the MND Association, to support people living with motor neurone disease (MND). 

Doddie, who first shared his MND diagnosis in June 2017, has pledged to help others with the rapidly progressing terminal illness, as well as funding for research into finding a cure. 

Since 2018, the Foundation has committed annual funding to MND Scotland and the MND Association, to help the charities provide vital support to people who are currently affected by MND. 

This new cash boost takes the Foundation’s total donations to MND Scotland and the MND Association to £430,000 and £770,000, respectively. The funds will be used by both organisations to help ease some the financial burden that comes with a diagnosis of MND, through their grant programmes. 

These programmes aim to help reduce some of the extra costs that come with living with MND. The grants can be used in various ways, for instance; to help with costs towards home adaptations, such as ramps and stairlifts, for specialist equipment to live life more independently, and for respite activities for carers and families. 

Jill Douglas, CEO of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, said: “We recognise the challenges faced by people who are given this terrible diagnosis and the impact it has on them and their families.

“We speak to people every day who need support and we are committed to doing all we can to help. We are delighted to work with the two MND charities, MND Association and MND Scotland who have the experience and expertise to make sure our grants reach the people who need them most.” 

Rachel Maitland, MND Scotland’s Chief Executive, said: “A diagnosis of MND can put an enormous financial strain on people living with the disease, and our grants programme can be life-changing for those affected in Scotland. 

“We thank the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation for this very generous donation and for the Foundation’s continued support over the years.

“These funds help MND Scotland provide essential financial support when people need it the most, and by continuing to work together we can make life a little easier for people living with MND right now.” 

Sally Light, Chief Executive of the MND Association for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, said: “MND will only be defeated through collaboration and partnership, and so we are delighted our care grants partnership with the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation will be entering its fifth year.

“While we are working hard to find a cure for this devastating disease, it is vital we can provide tangible support right now to those living with and affected by MND.

“Our comprehensive grant programme is there to help people living with MND and their families in a number of ways, which can make a real difference when they are desperately in need of support.

“We are incredibly grateful to the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation and know that this generous donation will help so many people in the MND community.” 

For more information visit www.mndscotland.org.uk.