Top News:Doddie Weir : joy after receiving the Helen Rollason award for Sports Personality of the Year

Princess Anne presents Doddie Weir with the Helen Rollason Award

“It’s been the most amazing day, with the most amazing Christmas present ever … It’s been unbelievable”

Scotland rugby union great Doddie Weir was honoured with the Helen Rollason Award at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year show on Sunday at the P&J Live Arena, Aberdeen.

Weir, 49, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in 2016, the following year, he launched his charity, the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, which seeks to aid research into the disease and improve the lives of those with MND. In July 2019, he received an OBE from the Queen for services to rugby and to charity. He was presented with his award by the Princess Royal. Speaking to Weir, Her Royal Highness said: “You’ve given a lot of pleasure and pride over the years of your playing for Scotland, and we’re very grateful of that. ”I know what a difference you have made to the understanding of MND, its impact and your ability to fund research. For that, we’re all extremely grateful

The former Melrose and Newcastle Falcons lock won 61 caps for Scotland.

“Thank you very much for this most amazing award,” he said. “It’s lovely to have my family and the rugby boys here. This is the closest I’ve ever got to a trophy so it’s very nice! What a great Christmas present this has been and to raise awareness of MND. “From playing sport, I’ve got a bit of spirit and fight and my spirit is to find a cure for MND. My foundation has raised nearly £5m, the recognition and support has been staggering. “Sport has taught me to enjoy myself because you don’t know what’s next so tonight will be pretty special.”

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Tony Noble

Tony Noble is a licensed Lay Minister in the Anglican chaplaincy of Costa Almeria and Costa Calida. Telephone - 711 043 859 - nobletony92@gmail.com

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