The widow of rugby icon Doddie Weir is embarking on a 750-mile cycle journey from the Scottish Borders to Dublin to raise vital funds for the motor neurone disease (MND) charity founded by her late husband.
Kathy Weir will join hundreds of other riders in the 2026 Doddie’s Triple Crown Challenge in support of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.
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The grueling endurance race is an annual event founded by former Scotland captain Rob Wainwright to raise substantial donations for research into MND.
The foundation was established by Doddie Weir in 2017 after she was diagnosed with the debilitating disease. The much-loved Scotland star died in November 2022 aged 52, after suffering from MND for more than six years.
Kathy, 55, has been a strong supporter of the foundation since her husband’s death, but she now feels ready for a major fundraising campaign.
Reflecting on her decision, she shared, “This is probably the first year that I’m mentally ready to take on something like this. I don’t know what it’s like physically, but mentally, yeah.”
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She spoke candidly about the aftermath of Dodie’s death: “After Dodie died, I was probably not in a good place. I would tell everyone I was fine, but I was exhausted mentally and physically. It was emotional and it was public. It took time.”
Kathy Weir (left) takes on a charity challenge led by Rob Wainwright (Craig Watson/Story Shop/PA)
Last year she did the final stretch of the ride, which she found helpful. “Now I’m happy to do whatever I can to help raise the profile of Rob, the foundation and the entire MND community,” she added.
The cycling challenge starts on March 10 and Casey has been training hard in the Borders.
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She admits: “I’m a cyclist but generally a summer cyclist. Rob keeps reminding us not to just ride our bikes when the sun is shining, obviously we ride our bikes in wet and windy weather too.”
She acknowledged the physical toll, saying: “When you’re riding four days on the Bounce, you can’t rest your tired legs. There will be some tough parts – but we do it for a reason.”
Dodi’s sons Hamish, Angus and Ben are also heavily involved in the foundation’s fundraising efforts.
Rob Wainwright praised the family’s commitment to the cause, highlighting the inherent difficulties of the upcoming Triple Crown cycle.
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“It’s got to be miserable. Three days of 180 to 200 miles in a row is relentless—lack of sleep, early starts, accumulated fatigue. If we get headwinds and rain along the way, it’s going to be brutal. But there has to be a challenge,” Wainwright explained.
Rob Wainwright hosts the charity event (Andrew Milligan/PA) (PA Archive)
He expressed his deep admiration for the family’s resilience: “It’s very positive to see Dodie’s family continue the work he started. To turn something so painful into something forward-thinking and positive – I have so much respect for Kathy and the kids.”
Wainwright stressed the importance of their involvement: “They didn’t have to hold the baton – there was a huge national and international support behind this and them – but the fact that they chose to step up and contribute to this is huge.”
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He concluded, reflecting on Dodie’s lasting impact: “Long before his diagnosis, Dodie built loyalty by being himself. He gave of his time to people. He was generous and genuinely interested in others.
“When he turned that energy into dealing with MND, it created something powerful – which is why it’s still growing.”
