Memorial service announced for Scottish rugby hero Doddie Weir

A memorial service to celebrate the life of former Scotland rugby star Doddie Weir has been announced.

The service for Doddie, who died this month after a six-year battle with motor neurone disease (MND), will be held at Melrose Parish Church on December 19.

The announcement was made on the website for the player’s charity, the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, which aims to aid research into MND.

In a statement announcing the service, the charity said all were welcome to attend the service at 1pm but that numbers would be limited and sound would be relayed to The Greenyards, the home of Melrose rugby club.

The foundation said: “Please wear any form of Tartan as requested by Doddie. No flowers please. Donations if desired, may be sent to My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.”

Doddie, who died on November 26 aged 52, played for Melrose in an illustrious career which also saw him represent his country and the British and Irish Lions.

After being diagnosed with MND in 2016, Doddie went on to raise millions through his foundation and was awarded an OBE in 2019 for services to rugby, MND research and to the Borders community.

He received the Helen Rollason award, given to mark achievement in the face of adversity, at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards in 2019.