GORDON D’ARCY is taking part in a gruelling charity cycle from Dublin to Edinburgh in honour of the late Doddie Weir.
The Scottish rugby legend died at 52 in November 2022 after a five-year battle with motor neurone disease.
The My Name’5 Doddie Foundation was subsequently set up in his memory and raises vital funds for motor neurone disease (MND) research.
The charity has teamed up with former Ireland and Leinster centre Gordon D’Arcy for an 800-mile cycle, the proceeds from which will go to the foundation.
The 44-year-old will lead a squad of Irish riders as part of a 300-strong team cycling from Dublin to Edinburgh entitled ‘Doddie’s Grand Tour’.
D’Arcy will be joined by former Ireland international Paddy Johns and Ulster star Dennis McBride.
And he said: “This is about coming together to support a cause that affects so many lives.
“Doddie’s spirit of resilience and camaraderie continues to inspire us all, and we’re determined to push through every mile to raise as much as we can for MND research.
“The Irish rugby community has always stepped up in times of need, and I know that fans across Ireland and Scotland will unite once again to support this incredible initiative.
“Every donation takes us one step closer to finding effective treatments and, ultimately, a cure for MND.”
‘Doddie’s Grand Tour’ will kick off at Dublin’s iconic Guinness Storehouse on Tuesday, February 5.
The first leg will see riders cycle more than 100 miles from Dublin to Belfast before crossing the Irish Sea to Cairnryan, where the Scottish route begins.
The rest of the contingent will then join and ride through Wigtownshire, Dumfries, the Scottish Borders, Glasgow, Perthshire, and up to Stonehaven before arriving in Edinburgh.
The cycle lines up in such a way that it will arrive at its destination this Saturday, the day of Ireland’s clash against Scotland in the Six Nations.
The event is spearheaded by former Scotland rugby captain and MND campaigner Rob Wainwright.
It is aiming to arrive on Saturday, February 8 ahead of Scotland’s Six Nations clash against Ireland the following day.
Wainwright has raised more than £2.5 million for My Name’5 Doddie Foundation through previous fundraising challenges.
And he commented: “The Scots and Irish have a special bond, and while we may not have been terribly close on the pitch in recent years, we’re thick as thieves off it.
“It’s fantastic to have Gordon, Paddy, and Dennis leading the charge from Dublin.
“The support from the Irish rugby community has been immense, and with the passion of the fans behind us, we know this year’s event will be another huge success.”
Paul Thompson, Director of Fundraising at My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, said: “Every penny raised through Doddie’s Grand Tour will go towards supporting the Foundation as we fund research we hope will develop effective treatments – and, ultimately, a cure for MND. We urge everyone to get behind this event and support the riders in any way they can.”
A host of sporting figures will also take part in the ride, including Iwan Tukalo, Paul Burnell, Roger Baird, Rory Lawson, Ryan Grant, Richie Vernon, Tony Copsey, Heather Stanning, Andy Nicol, Cameron Glasgow, and Ruaridh Jackson.
To donate to Doddie’s Grand Tour, visit here. For more information about My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, visit here.
