Rugby star Kenny Logan units off on 700-mile charity problem to ship match ball to Paris in reminiscence of late pal Doddie Weir

Scottish rugby star Kenny Logan and a staff of celebrities have set off on a 700-mile endurance problem from Edinburgh to Paris.

The 20-strong staff set off yesterday (Solar) on their mission to ship the match ball for the Scotland v Eire Pool B Rugby World Cup qualification decider on Saturday (Oct 7).

Former Rangers supervisor and footballer Ally McCoist and actor Jamie Bamber are amongst these collaborating, whereas tv presenter Kirsty Gallacher and actor James Nesbitt will be part of at a later stage.

The challenges have thus far raised greater than £280,000 in the direction of their goal of elevating £555,000 for Doddie Weir’s charity the My Identify’5 Doddie Basis, which funds analysis into motor neurone illness (MND).

The inspiration was launched in 2017 by Weir who died final November aged 52 after residing with MND for six years.

Kenny Logan units off from Murrayfield on the 700-mile problem

Sporting stars together with Paula Radcliffe, Peter Crouch, and Denise Lewis are amongst those that have despatched messages of help to these collaborating.

Logan, a buddy of Weir, determined to tackle the problem throughout restoration from prostate most cancers final 12 months.

He mentioned it will be a ‘brutal problem’ however that the help that they had obtained forward of the occasion was ‘an enormous motivator’.

Logan mentioned: ‘It’s onerous to place into phrases what Doddie meant to me, my household, and the rugby and MND communities world wide.

‘He was essentially the most loving, sort and brave individual I knew, all of which drove him to combat his MND so onerous for thus lengthy and be a champion for others residing with the illness, elevating thousands and thousands of kilos alongside the way in which.

Ally McCoist was amongst these to see Kenny Logan off on his journey

Dobbie Weir died final November from MND

‘Coaching has concerned a gruelling schedule – with a number of challenges alongside the way in which – however we’re right here and assured we will do it for Doddie.

‘Presently, folks with MND don’t have enough therapy choices – and that’s why we’re doing this for the My Identify’5 Doddie Basis, in order that in the future, everybody in Doddie’s place can have a greater likelihood.’

Beginning in Edinburgh, the stroll and cycle will see the staff journey round 100 miles a day from Newcastle to York and on to Belvoir Fortress in Grantham, then to Marlow and Brighton.

They’ll then take the ferry to Mont Vernon and onward to the grand finale in Paris forward of the Scotland v Eire match on October 7.

The problem takes place forward of Doddie Support 2024, a My Identify’5 Doddie Basis nationwide fundraising occasion the place members rally to boost as a lot cash as potential for MND analysis.