South Scotland MSP Brian Whittle paid tribute to Scottish rugby legend and MND campaigner Doddie Weir in the Scottish Parliament.
Following Doddie’s death at the end of November, Brian used his time at First Minister’s Questions to urge the Scottish Government to go further and faster in their support for research into a cure for MND and other neurological conditions.
After his diagnosis with Motor Neurone Disease, Doddie Weir became a hugely influential campaigner for more support for people with the condition. Continuing the efforts of other campaigners like Gordon Aikman, he fought to obtain more funding for research into the disease in the hopes of finding a cure.
Former Olympic athlete Brian knew Doddie for many years and spoke about the resilience and determination his friend had shown since his diagnosis. “It is his indomitable character and the way he tackled his diagnosis of MND head on that will endure” the MSP said. “I can think of no-one else who could have achieved what he did.” He went on to acknowledge a commitment by the UK Government to provide £50 million in funding in the search for an MND cure and asked the First Minister what more the Scottish Government would do to “work with charities such as the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, to tackle these horrible neurological conditions and keep up the momentum that the big man started?”
Responding to Brian, the First Minister echoed his comments about the incredible contribution that Doddie Weir and other campaigners like Gordon Aikman have made and pledged that the Scottish Government would continue its efforts to find a cure for MND.
Speaking after the session, Brian Whittle MSP said:
“Doddie was a true one off. A larger-than-life character who, when given a devastating diagnosis of MND, chose to make the most of the time he had, fighting for a cure and working to help others avoid his fate.
Thanks to his efforts and those of other campaigners like Gordon Aikman and the English rugby player Rob Burrow, both the UK and Scottish Governments are doing more than ever to support people with MND and help find a cure.
But there’s still more that can be done, and I hope MPs and MSPs from all parties will join me in pushing for even greater efforts to cure MND.”
