'Whenever Doddie is involved, there has to be an element of fun'

Recent Lions Test series picks Hamish Watson and Ali Price are leading the charge along with Jamie Ritchie and Rob Wainwright following the launch of a mass participation exercise challenge aimed at raising funds for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation that was set up in 2017 following the diagnosis of ex-Scotland and Lions player Doddie Weir with motor neuron disease.

The Doddie Aid Challenge kicked off on January 1 and will run until the Doddie Weir Cup match on February 12 featuring Scotland playing away to Wales in the Six Nations. Last year’s Doddie Aid saw over 22,000 people sign up, raising over £1million and covering enough miles to circumnavigate the world 87 times, and this year’s event sees rugby’s old Scottish inter-district championship dusted off and its five teams resurrected.

Any form of exercise will count towards a district’s total on the leaderboard, from running to rollerblading, cycling to skiing or just adding up daily steps, and the captains of each district are busy signing other high-profile stars in a bid to boost their team’s efforts before the February 12 finish that will see Wainwright and a team of cyclists cycling the Doddie Weir Cup match ball from Murrayfield to the Principality Stadium.

Wainwright said: “Whenever Doddie is involved, there has to be an element of fun. So Doddie Aid 2022 plans to keep you entertained and exercising from start to finish. We kicked off on January 1 with loony dooks across the country, followed by six weeks of running, rowing, round the world cycling, nights on Zwift, tartan dog walks with celebrity pooches and more.

“You raised over £1m last time. Money that is being directed into MND research and the quest for effective treatments for this terrible condition. Let's make it bigger and better this year. Do download the new Doddie Aid app now, form leagues with your family, friends and colleagues, and get them signed up. But above all, please enjoy yourselves.”

Weir added: "Doddie Aid is the perfect way to kick off 2022. Last year we had a huge amount of fun, comparing stories and sharing our combined efforts while raising vital funds for targeted MND research and to help support people living with this terrible disease.

“This year I hope everyone gets behind Doddie Aid and joins in. We have a shiny new app and some brilliant district captains who will lead the charge. Many thanks to Rob and the team and to everyone who supports us. I am supposed to be impartial but the Weirs will be joining Team South - bring it on!"

• To get involved, participants should download the Doddie Aid app from the Apple or Android app stores to join their chosen district and claim a free team snood. All exercise miles should then be recorded via the app. There is also a desktop version available here. For more information about Doddie Aid, visit the Doddie Aid website