The Balmoral concierge team have swapped their traditional legwear for Doddie Weir tartan trews ahead of a special event to raise money for the late Scotland rugby international’s motor neuron disease charity. Doddie Weir, who played more than 60 times for Scotland and the British and Irish Lions, died in 2022, six years after he was diagnosed with MND.
Jan Streicher and Jamal Gacem modelled the unmistakable blue and yellow tartan trousers to mark the launch of a partnership between My Name’5 Doddie Foundation and The Balmoral – kicking off with a fundraising Burns Supper in January.
The event in the Sir Walter Scott Suite will feature a host of well-known Burns figures to celebrate the birthday of Scotland’s national bard – headlined by Scots writer, presenter, and producer Alistair Heather who will perform the address to the haggis. The My Name’5 Doddie Foundation will also host an auction with donated prizes including Six Nations Experiences and a four-night Golf Vacation at Verdura the Rocco Forte Resort in Sicily. All proceeds will support the charity’s ongoing mission to find effective treatments – and one day a cure – for MND.
Stephen Walker, from The Balmoral, said, “We’re proud to support My Name’5 Doddie Foundation to fund vital research, and the funds raised through this inaugural event, and many more to come, will help as we continue on this road to a world free of MND.”
Paul Thompson, Director of Fundraising at My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, said, “This is the start of a special partnership between two famous Scottish names, and we thank The Balmoral for their support of the Foundation, which will help us as we work towards identifying effective treatments and one day a cure for MND.”