‘Doddie has given MND a voice’: Star-studded 1988 Scottish schoolboys side reunites to take on 88 km challenge for MND research

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  Former Scotland captain Andy Nicol one of 22 members of Scottish schools rugby side that toured New Zealand in 1988 taking on epic Doddie 88 cycle and ride in Doddie Weir’s memory
• Former teammates pay tribute to ‘selfless’ Weir, who starred on tour where side won five of eight matches in rugby’s toughest climate
• Doddie 88 squad will tackle 88 km over two days to raise money for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation

FORMER Scotland captain Andy Nicol has hailed the late Doddie Weir for ‘giving MND a voice’ as he and his fellow 1988 Scotland schoolboys teammates prepare for an epic 88km challenge to raise money for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. 

Nicol is one of 22 surviving members of the Scottish schools’ side that toured New Zealand in summer 1988 taking on the Doddie 88 challenge, which involves a 65km cycle and 23km walk from Carter Bar on the Scottish Border to the iconic Doddie statue at Murrayfield over just two days (Thursday, March 16 and Friday, March 17). 

The fundraisers have already raised more than £20,000 for the cause, and hope to hit £88,000 in memory of their former teammate and friend.

Weir, who went on to win 61 full caps for Scotland, was a star of the successful five-week tour, scoring the match-winning try in a 14-12 win against Wellington Schools as Scotland returned with five victories from eight matches in New Zealand – then the dominant nation in world rugby. 

Scrum-half Nicol, who won 23 caps for Scotland, including the famous Calcutta Cup win at Murrayfield in 2000, and was also a member of two Lions tours in 1993 and 2001, said: “Doddie was a force of nature when he was alive so we are duty bound to keep that legacy going now that he is no longer with us.

“His selfless approach to his diagnosis blew me away. It was never about Doddie, it was all about helping others, and he was furious that there had only been one drug developed over 20 years to help people cope with MND. 

“I don’t think MND had a voice in 2016, Doddie changed that, and his strongest legacy is, not just the near £8m raised, it is that MND now has a voice.”

The Doddie 88 challenge will reunite Nicol with a host of names woven into the fabric of Scottish rugby 35 years on from the tour, including 1995 World Cup star Graham Shiel; full Scottish internationals Scott Nichol and Steve Brotherstone; and former Scotland, South Africa, and Fiji coach Richie Gray. 

Nicol added: “When you go through such an experience like we did, there is always a connection that binds us together. We had a 30 year reunion in 2018 and I saw some of the guys for the first time since we arrived back from tour and we picked up just like we were best mates seeing them every day.

“We have great memories. It was my first long haul flight and I remember looking at Doddie and his long legs and thought there was no chance of him making it to NZ in one piece!

“It will be incredible to reconnect with boys that I had an unbelievable experience with 35 years ago and to keep Doddie’s legacy going. Doddie was an inspiration when he was alive, and he remains so after his passing. He was a great player, a great man, and a great inspiration to millions.” 

Gary Kenhard, captain of the 1988 tour, is the driving force behind the Doddie 88 Challenge, and is relishing leading the team once again. 

He said: “It is fantastic that so many members of the ’88 squad have come together for Doddie. 

“Teammates are travelling from France, Singapore, Gibraltar, Australia, and Canada – it’s incredible. I can fully understand why they are coming; it was a special tour, with special people, and at the centre of it all was the magnificent Doddie Weir. I was proud to lead the lads back then and having Doddie as a teammate, made the tour an absolute pleasure. 

“Doddie was the type of person who would run alongside you in your time of need. Although we are not as fit as we once were, we are steadfastly determined to return Doddie’s support by putting in a shift which raises as much cash as possible for MND.”

Doddie Weir is one of just two players missing from the Doddie 88 challenge. Former Dollar Academy fly-half Gary Sisman tragically died in an aviation accident in 1992. 

Kenhard added: “Gary was a brilliant outside half and a fantastic tourist. Our thoughts are always with his family as we remember two fallen friends.” To donate to the Doddie 88 Challenge; visit justgiving.com/fundraising/doddie88.  For more information on the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, visit myname5doddie.co.uk.