MNDF announces milestone £18 million of funding for MND research as Doddie Aid 2025 launches on second anniversary of Doddie's death

26 November 2024

My Name'5 Doddie Foundation has now committed more than £18 million to vital motor neuron disease (MND) research – two years on from Doddie's death from the disease.

The Foundation, which Doddie set up in 2017 following his MND diagnosis at just 46 years-old, has now backed more than 40 pioneering research projects looking at all stages of the disease. Our cutting-edge Catalysing a Cure Research strategy, led by our Director of Research Jessica Lee, launched in early 2023, directing millions of pounds to research projects that will make the biggest difference in the search for effective treatments, and one day a cure, for MND – from biomarkers that could signal early signs of the disease to clinical trials for possible treatments.

This milestone announcement arrives alongside the launch of Doddie Aid 2025 – the Foundation's signature mass participation event in which tens of thousands of people rack up miles walking, running, swimming, cycling and more to raise money to help fund the search for effective treatments and one day a cure for MND.

Doddie died on November 26, 2022 after living with MND for almost six years. The dad-of- three, capped 61-times for Scotland during an illustrious rugby career with Scotland, the British and Irish Lions, Newcastle Falcons, and his home town club Melrose, became one of the world’s most prominent MND campaigners during the last years of his life, helping galvanise efforts to develop treatments for the disease, as well as raising millions through the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. Doddie wanted the pursuit of a world free of MND would be his legacy. 

Doddie Aid 2025, which begins on 1 January, promises to be the biggest yet, with a new expanded four-nations format in which participants will compete against each other amongst friends, family, colleagues, communities, sports clubs, and beyond. Each nation – England, Ireland, Wales, and Doddie’s native Scotland – will be led by two celebrity star captains set to be announced in December.

The 2025 event will also feature a new and improved app to enable participants to log miles in their chosen sport or activity. Doddie Aid has so far contributed more than £5m to the Foundation's cause since it was launched by Doddie's friend, former teammate, and Scotland captain Rob Wainwright in 2021. It has grown to become one of the biggest mass participation events dedicated to MND fundraising in the world. 

Luke Hames Brown, a former GP forced to retire following his own MND diagnosis last year, is one of thousands of people set to take part in Doddie Aid. The 38-year-old, who lives in Oxfordshire with wife Kate, raised more than £50,000 for My Name’5 Doddie Foundation by walking the length of Hadrian’s Wall earlier this year, has called on everybody to join the Doddie Aid cause and raise as much money as possible for MND research. 

He said: “MND can affect somebody at almost any age, stealing mobility function, independence, and lives. It inevitably dominates and defines people’s lives, and funding and supporting research is one of the best ways we can control the narrative of that definition. 

“I know that getting involved with Doddie Aid and support for MND research might be planting trees in a garden that I never get to see personally – but if there’s any chance that my contribution can make a difference, I’m going to take it. Even if this doesn’t happen in time for me, I don’t want other people in the future to have to go through the same experience.

“By supporting the Foundation and Doddie Aid, you can help ensure that if in the future you or somebody you know is affected by this devastating disease, then there may be a very different picture – one of positivity and hope. That’s why I want everybody to sign up to Doddie Aid.”  

Nicola Roseman, CEO of My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, said: “This momentous £18m research milestone is testament to the thousands of campaigners and supporters who have picked up the baton from Doddie and donated to My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. It is a great achievement – but we have so much more to do. Doddie was relentless in his pursuit of a word free of MND, and it will be up to us to realise his legacy by committing more money to research projects that will make a difference to those with MND.  

“Doddie Aid is the focal point of our year and the time when everybody affected directly, indirectly, or who has simply been touched by the many incredible, inspiring, and heartbreaking stories connected to the MND community can do something about it. Every person who signs up is making a difference. 

“We miss Doddie always, and feel his absence even more on occasions like this anniversary. The best tribute we can all pay to him is to do everything to move closer to that cure – and it starts with Doddie Aid 2025.”

MND is a disease which affects the motor neurons of the nervous system. It damages and attacks the nerves, meaning that messages being sent from the brain to the muscles no longer work. It is life shortening and mostly progresses rapidly. Approximately 1,100 people are diagnosed with MND every year in the UK. Up to 5,000 adults in the UK are affected at any one time.

To sign up to Doddie Aid 2025, download the app or visit doddieaid.com. For more information about My Name’5 Doddie Foundation visit myname5doddie.co.uk/.