Ex-Scotland international Doddie Weir issues coronavirus plea to the UK government

Ex-Scotland international Doddie Weir has made a plea to UK Secretary of State Matt Hancock for motor neurone disease to be put on the very vulnerable persons list during the coronavirus pandemic. 

The 49-year-old, who won 61 caps for his country and toured South Africa with the 1997 series-winning Lions, was diagnosed with MND in 2017 and has since raised awareness and huge sums of money for research through his foundation, My Name'5 Doddie. 

He has now issued an appeal on social media to the government, saying: “Would it be possible for you and your team to work with the MND Association and MND Scotland to change this? People with MND have a hard life in itself, never mind trying to fight the coronavirus.”

Weir also expressed his gratitude to Hancock for his work during the health crisis. He added: “I’d like to thank you, your team and all involved in the NHS and everyone else involved in trying to fight the coronavirus.”

The ex-Scottish forward, who was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2019, has shown immense passion and determination over the past few years in his charity work.

He recently launched a podcast highlighting his work, and his plea to government is another example of how he is raising awareness for MND in testing times.