Banff RFC fundraising for Doddie's 50th

Members of Banff Rugby Football Club have been raising funds to acknowledge the 50th birthday celebration of former Scottish rugby union player Doddie Weir OBE.

Banff RFC had scheduled an It’s a Knock Out event for 4 July to coincide with the superstar’s birthday to raise funds for his MND research charity, My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. Sadly, the event had to be cancelled due to the current Covid-19 restrictions.

Regardless however, team members and associates have successfully raised and donated £500 towards the charity. The funds were raised through a number of efforts, including the balance of sponsorship pledged for a former Club Captain and President's cycle around Ireland, as well as various raffles, auctions, and collections in the Club House after matches earlier in the season. This is in addition to the previous donation of £6,000 to the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, which was raised from the Banff RFC’s 40^th Anniversary Dinner.

Banff RFC representative, Bob Philips, commented, “The club’s efforts to raise funds are in acknowledgement of Doddie, a fantastic ambassador for rugby and a genuinely nice guy. We send him our best wishes for his 50^thbirthday and every success for his ongoing fundraising efforts towards motor neuron disease research.

Throughout the Covid-19 enforced closure, Banff RFC has been fortunate to receive support from the Scottish Rugby Union. Players from all sections of the club have been undertaking online coaching and fitness sessions led by the Development Officer, with many schools in Banff and Turriff using the sessions as scheduled physical activity time during the lockdown period. Members from across the club’s sections are raring to get back onto the pitch, however the summer holiday camps hosted annually by the club are looking doubtful as social distancing continues.

We wish everyone at Banff RFC well and thank them for their continued and much appreciated support.