Thursday, 04 December 2025
Fundraising
Each year at our Anniversary Dinner, we recognise a number of our supporters who go the extra mile in helping us work towards our vision of a world free of MND.
They are our Doddie Champions, who are awarded with a Champion’s Cap. These people reflect the very best of our community - those who relentlessly give their time, energy and resolve to make vital MND research happen, raising significant funds and awareness for the Foundation.
Without further ado, let us introduce you to 2025’s Doddie Champions:
Constantly pulling out all the stops to support us is Jamie Lindsay. Whilst running a very successful business, Jamie somehow finds extra hours in each of his days to support our work. From golf days to our Business Club, from corporate sponsorship to taking part in mammoth cycling challenges - and even down to leading the conga at last year’s Anniversary Dinner - Jamie brings enthusiasm and humour to everything he does. He is the life and soul of every room he walks into, and an invaluable friend to the Foundation. We are proud to have him on our team.
Quietly going about his business in supporting the Foundation - Jamie is one of our most important and dedicated volunteers. A passionate rugby fan and proud family man, he is a constant presence and helping hand at our events across Scotland. Whether selling Doddie Ducks at Dalkeith Country Park, manning our stand at the Edinburgh Whisky Festival, attending Business Club events, promoting Doddie Aid, or captaining the Doddie Dasher’5 on Rob Wainwright’s epic cycle rides each year - Jamie’s commitment to us is immeasurable.
A man who rarely flies under the radar, Ally McCoist has nevertheless given enormous amounts of his time and energy to our cause since the very early days, without ever seeking the spotlight for it. From taking part in the Ultimate Golf Day several times, to championing us across all kinds of media (not least talkSPORT), and by putting his body on the line in Kenny Logan’s Edinburgh-to-Paris ride and this year’s Lions challenge around Ireland - Ally’s support has been unwavering. He could take over the world if he was as organised as he is popular!
Although he couldn’t join us on the night at the dinner, Ally sent us his warmest wishes and the room celebrated him in style.
Lottie and Claire are the beating heart of a remarkable fundraising network who have raised a phenomenal amount of money. Close friends of the Foundation since the tragic MND diagnosis received by James Clarke in 2021, together with friends and colleagues they have raised over £1 million for My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. Only a few weeks ago, they delivered another amazing event in London, the Brancaster Ball, raising well over £200,000.
Beth has shown us what is possible when a network comes together to support Doddie Aid. After MND sadly affected her own family, she has gone on to achieve extraordinary things in support of My Name’5 Doddie Foundation by building the biggest community within Doddie Aid. It involves dozens of veterinary practices and hundreds of people, who collectively cover tens of thousands of miles each year. Through Beth’s leadership, this network raises thousands of pounds all whilst furthering awareness for MND research in every corner of the UK’s veterinary world. Beth is proof of what a motivated community can achieve together.
Diagnosed with MND in 2021, Jennie has become a great supporter of My Name’5 Doddie Foundation and a powerful advocate for MND research in general - sitting on our research review committees, taking part in promotional films and above all sharing her experience of living with MND openly and honestly. She also completed her PhD earlier this year and is therefore now, Dr Jennie Starkey.
Diagnosed with MND at just 34 years old in April 2023, Luke has faced up to the disease with bravery and focus. Last year he set himself the challenge of walking the length of Hadrian’s Wall, despite his diagnosis, and raised a huge sum of money. But he continues to support us in many other ways - from promoting Doddie Aid to sharing his story publicly to help drive awareness. Perhaps most importantly, as someone living with MND and also a doctor, he plays a key role in reviewing applications for our Discovery Network award programme.
Jennie and Luke couldn’t be with us on the night at this year’s Anniversary Dinner, as they were both attending a Foundation event in London showcasing the Discovery Network programme, where their presence and insight were invaluable. We were able to award them with their Champion Caps at that event and it was an honour to celebrate and recognise these two truly inspirational people, and we are so grateful for all of their time that they give us.
A school friend of Doddie’s and a well-known face in the Scottish agricultural community, Douglas goes about his business without fanfare but has powerfully extended the reach of the Foundation. By working with JCB to produce the unique Doddie Tartan Fastrac iCON tractor, and subsequently taking it to events far and wide, he has generated immense visibility for the charity and raised an epic amount of money. Douglas even made Kenny Logan’s night last year by letting him drive the tractor to the Anniversary Dinner.
The final award of the night was the James Clarke Award, presented by James’ wife, Lottie. This award is for those who have gone above and beyond in their support of us, reflecting the remarkable legacy of James. James was an amazing supporter of ours, who died with MND in 2024 after raising over £1 million. As highlighted earlier, his network continues to raise vast amounts of money in his name.
This year’s James Clarke Award goes to Mark and Steph Williams, a couple who have faced a MND diagnosis with incredible strength. They have built a supportive and energised community around them, which has helped significantly grow Doddie Aid participation in their native Wales. Their openness in sharing their story multiple times has helped to get across the impact of MND.
Mark and Steph tried to move heaven and earth to be with us at the dinner this year, but unfortunately it wasn’t quite possible. Though we were able to give them their Champions Cap at the 745 Game in Gloucester the weekend before, and Mark sent us the below message to explain just how much this award means to him.
To every Champion, and to everyone who supports us in ways big and small - thank you. Together, we’ll keep driving Doddie’s legacy forward so one day we can live in a world which is truly free of MND.
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