Katherine Grainger among celebrities to attend Doddie Weir regatta
A host of sports stars will embark on a charity rowing race to raise money in memory of Melrose rugby legend Doddie Weir.
Olympic gold medal winner Dame Katherine Grainger and former Scotland rugby captain Rob Wainwright are among those confirmed to be taking part in the challenge in Edinburgh.
It comes just months after the death of the former Scotland International who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in 2016.
The competition will see eight teams of celebrities battle to see who can row the furthest in a period of three hours at the Royal Yacht Britannia in Leith on Saturday.
The event is run by Doddie Aid, which was founded in 2020 by Weir’s former teammate Wainwright. It is the biggest annual fundrasing event for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, aimed at raising funds to fight motor neurone disease.
Six-time rowing world champion Dame Katherine, who won gold in the double sculls at the London 2012 Olympic Games, is among a host of famous faces from rugby, television and the wider sporting world who will be on deck to rack up as many miles as possible to fund MND research.
She said: “Doddie Aid is an amazing event that brings so many people together through a shared passion for exercise, teamwork, camaraderie and commitment to helping find a cure for MND.
“As the first event since Doddie’s death, this year’s event, of course, takes on added significance, and the tens of thousands of people already signed up and racking up miles shows how much people care.
“The Doddie Aid Britannia Regatta is the perfect focal point for Doddie Aid 2023, and will embody so much of what Doddie stood for – hard work and unbridled fun.”
Teams can join in the Doddie Aid Britannia Regatta remotely across the UK, with participants able to keep up via a live stream from the top deck of the Royal Yacht Britannia. There will be a leaderboard and prizes for anuone wishing to take part.
Wainwright added: "The Doddie Aid Britannia Regatta is particularly poignant as it’s the first since Doddie’s passing in November, but this only drives us forward to continue making progress and raising awareness of MND.
"It will be incredible to see everyone rallying together at the event, as well as those joining from home, the gym, or anywhere else. Doddie started something special and it is our responsibility to continue his legacy."
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