His father was a remarkable rugby player, earning an impressive 61 caps for Scotland and participating in the 1997 British and Irish Lions tour. His decade-long career at the pinnacle of the sport left a lasting legacy.

Now, one of the late Doddie Weir’s sons has decided it’s time to make a significant impact. He is gearing up to lead the Scotland team in a fundraising effort dedicated to researching the illness that claimed his father’s life.

At the age of 24, Hamish Weir has been appointed as the Scotland captain for Doddie Aid 2026. This annual event, established by Rob Wainwright, a former Scotland rugby captain and a close friend of Doddie Weir, aims to gather mass participation in fundraising activities.

Kicking off on January 1, the challenge invites individuals from the UK and beyond to track any form of physical activity—whether it be swimming, cycling, running, playing golf, walking the dog, or simply enjoying the outdoors. The goal is to generate funds for research into motor neurone disease (MND).

Doddie Weir, a celebrated figure in Scottish rugby, passed away in November 2022 at the age of 52, following a courageous six-year battle with the disease.

Prior to his death, Weir founded the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation in 2017 to fund research into MND.

Speaking ahead of the match Mr Weir, 24, said: ‘This feels like my time to step up, not just as Doddie’s son, but as someone who wants to carry on what he started.

‘The Foundation is deeply personal to me, my mum, my brothers – it sits deep within us. 

Doddie Weir died in November 2022 aged 52 after a six-year battle with motor neurone disease

Hamish Weir wants to continue his father’s legacy through the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation

Scotland legend Weir played 61 times for his country 

‘Keeping that connection alive really matters. If we can help in any small way, we have to do it.’

Hamish has followed in his father’s footsteps playing first-team rugby for Melrose in the Scottish Borders alongside brothers Angus, 23, and Ben, 21.

He also told how he did not realise how well known his father was until he revealed his diagnosis.

News of the diagnosis was made public on July 20 2017 while the family were travelling to New Zealand, when Hamish was aged 16.

He said: ‘I don’t think I truly understood how big a figure Dad was until his diagnosis went public. I was 16, on the way to New Zealand, and as soon as I got signal as we got off the flight my phone just blew up.

‘It was overwhelming and a bit scary at that age – that’s when I realised how many people he’d touched. The impact was way beyond rugby.’

He also remembers the moment later that year when the Weir family walked out at Murrayfield before Scotland’s Test match against New Zealand.

It was recently voted by fans as the greatest moment in Murrayfield’s 100-year history.

Hamish said: ‘It’s humbling to think how big an impact that moment has had on so many people. When the applause hit us, it felt like being struck in the face. Even now, it still gives me goosebumps. It was the first time I’d ever seen my dad emotional.’

He added: ‘MND has robbed us of a lifetime of memories, but that moment is one my brothers – Ben and Angus – and I will always hold on to.’

The young rugby player said he feels he has been given a platform and will use it to raise awareness.

He said: ‘I know how horrible and cruel this illness is, and I don’t want any other family to go through what we did. I’ll always laugh and joke – that’s in Dad’s DNA – but there’s a serious goal here. We want a world free of MND.

‘Get signed up. Then get someone else signed up. Two, three, four people – that’s how it starts. 

‘Once you’re in that team environment, it becomes infectious. That’s how we’ll keep Dad’s legacy alive – and hopefully one day find a cure.’