What's on

10 year-old Harvey raises over £12,000 for My Name’5 Doddie Foundation with mega 31 day challenge

03 February 2025

A primary school pupil from Uddingston has completed a month-long challenge which has seen him run 5km and do 100 push-ups every day in January to raise funds for vital motor neuron disease research (MND). 

Harvey Dooher’s efforts are inspired by his father, David Dooher, who in June 2023 received widespread media attention when he carried a 100kg barbell to the summit of Ben Nevis for My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. 

Harvey has now run 155km and gritted his way through 3,100 push-ups, raising over £12,000 for the charity founded by rugby legend Doddie Weir OBE before his death from MND in 2022.

The ten-year-old, who has been praised on social media by Rob Wainwright OBE and Jason Fox, said: “I’ve had messages from people who’ve lost family members to MND, and they’ve told me how much this means to them. That makes everything worth it. If this helps even one family feel like people care, then I know I’ve done something good.”

His father, David, has been by his side throughout the challenge, joining him for daily runs and supporting him through the toughest moments.

He commented: "I knew he was determined, but I don’t think any of us realised just how relentless he could be. Every day, rain or shine, he laced up his trainers and got on with it. He’s battled through freezing temperatures and the mental challenge of showing up day after day. I genuinely couldn’t be more proud. This challenge has never been about him – it’s always been about helping others.”

Harvey’s challenge has all been part of Doddie Aid, the mass participation event started by former Scotland rugby captain Rob Wainwright. The annual challenge sees thousands of people log miles throughout January to raise funds for MND research. This year’s campaign has been backed by sporting legends including Sir Chris Hoy, Ally McCoist, and Kenny Logan.

Speaking on Instagram from a ferry returning to the Isle of Coll, Doddie’s friend, Doddie Aid founder and British and Irish Lion Rob Wainwright OBE, said: “I was pondering Doddie Aid, and Doddie Aid’s about everyone doing a little bit, and it all adds up to a lot. But amongst that, there are people doing an awful lot. David Dooher climbed Ben Nevis with 100 kg on his shoulders, which is just an extraordinary achievement – top prize for daftness, fantastic thing he did.

“And now, a chip off the old block, his son Harvey, throughout the course of the 31 days, is running a 5K and doing 100 press-ups every day. That’s a pretty tough ask from a young guy. I’m sure you are finding it tough, Harvey, but hard things in life are the things that matter, and what you’re doing is extraordinary. And there’s a huge amount of support for you out there.

“Anyone that sees this - just a couple of pounds of support to keep Harvey going. To Harvey: keep going, you’re doing amazing things, and you’re a real inspiration to us all out there. And you’re helping us find a way to put an end to MND. Thank you!”

Commenting on Harvey’s challenge, former Marine Commando and UK Special Forces soldier Jason Fox added: "I was blown away by the mental and physical resilience of Harvey, at only 10 years old he's shown what can be achieved if you get your head down and crack on. Yes things will get tough and you'll want to give up, but that's when you must keep going and pull yourself through."

Harvey’s JustGiving page can be found here.

10 year-old Harvey raises over £12,000 for My Name’5 Doddie Foundation with mega 31 day challenge
10 year-old Harvey raises over £12,000 for My Name’5 Doddie Foundation with mega 31 day challenge
Harvey, with his dad David
Harvey, with his dad David

More News Posts

Sign up to our email newsletters