Logan will be joined by Doddie’s son, Hamish Weir, and more than 50 fundraisers, celebrities and former players on Doddie’s Lions Challenge – a week-long endurance ride inspired by the camaraderie and iconic spirit of a British & Irish Lions tour. The event aims to raise over £500,000 for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation and the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association.
Among the famous names saddling up are Scottish football legend Ally McCoist, broadcaster Gabby Logan, and Battlestar Galactica actor Jamie Bamber. This year’s group also includes new riders like former Wasps prop Will Green, who was inspired by last year’s eZorts and signed up straight away. Former Ireland A international and Harlequins start Mel Deane, and rugby podcaster Archie Curzon will also join.
The team will cycle approximately 100 miles a day across some of Ireland’s most scenic and historic rugby heartlands. Stops will include origin clubs of famous Irish Lions players, with the challenge concluding at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, where the team will deliver the match ball ahead of the British & Irish Lions match against Argentina on Friday, June 20 for the 1888 Cup.
Logan, who lost his close friend Doddie Weir to motor neuron disease in 2022, said: “We’re not walking this time – I hated that part! We’re doing it to raise money, yes – but more than that, we’re doing it to give hope to people living with MND. Hope that we’re getting closer to a cure.
“Since Doddie died, awareness has grown massively, but fundraising remains pivotal to maintain momentum. The Foundation has now committed nearly £20 million to MND research – which is fantastic, but it’s only the beginning. Doddie would be proud – but he’d also be telling us to go further, faster. Until there’s a cure, we keep going. That’s what he would want, and it’s what we owe him.”
Earlier this year, the Foundation made its biggest single investment to date, committing £4million to four pioneering MND research projects through its Discovery Network. The investment forms part of the charity’s bold Catalysing a Cure strategy, which aims to accelerate scientific breakthroughs in the search for a cure.
Ulster Rugby supporters are encouraged to come along to Kingspan Stadium from 8:30am this Sunday and help rally behind these incredible fundraisers.
To support Doddie’s Lions Challenge or find out more visit myname5doddie.co.uk/.
Route Map
