Rugby’s Doddie Weir receives OBE at royal investiture

Doddie Weir was awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours Credit: Funding Neuro/PA

Former Scotland rugby international Doddie Weir received an OBE from the Queen on Tuesday.

Weir, who revealed he has motor neurone disease (MND) in 2017, was honoured for services to rugby, MND research and the Borders community.

He set up the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation to raise funds for research and provide grants to help those affected by MND.

It follows a successful playing career that saw him earn 61 caps for Scotland.

Weir, who received the honour at the Palace of Holyrood House in Edinburgh, said it was a “great honour” to be recognised by the Queen.

The investiture ceremony saw Louise Martin, president of the Commonwealth Games Federation and former sportscotland chairwoman, receive a damehood.

Brigadier Melville Jameson, Lord Lieutenant of Perth and Kinross, received a knighthood – as did eminent life scientist Professor Mike Ferguson of the University of Dundee.

Prof Ferguson helped establish the university’s Drug Discovery Unit which works with health agencies and pharmaceutical companies to develop new treatments for neglected diseases.

Also being honoured was consultant paramedic Paul Gowens, who received the Queen’s Ambulance Service Medal for exceptional devotion to duty.

Paul Okroj, head of volunteering for Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland (CHSS), was also awarded an OBE.

Mr Okroj is said to have been instrumental in doubling the number of volunteers during his time with the charity.