Humbled honorary fellow awarded OBE @MNDoddie5

Three cheers for Doddie.

Well known Borderer Doddie Weir was amongst locals awarded an OBE for their accomplishments in the New Year Honours list.  His OBE is awarded for his contribution to sport and research into motor neurone disease.

Doddie commented through social media by saying: “I am humbled and honoured – thank you everyone.”

Back in September Borders College had the great pleasure of making their own award to Doddie at the 2018 Graduation Ceremony. In front of 500 graduates, friends and family Doddie was awarded the 21st Honorary Fellowship of Borders College.

Doddie has been one of the most instantly recognised characters in rugby Borders College Graduation 2018 ever since making his Scotland debut in 1990 aged just 20, eventually going on to represent his country 61-times.

Educated at Daniel Stewart’s and Melville College in Edinburgh, Doddie attended the Scottish Agricultural College, gaining a Higher National Diploma. He came to the fore playing for Melrose RFC and, having helped them to five Scottish championship titles in seven years, Doddie was one of the first players to move south in the new professional era. He signed for Newcastle Falcons in 1995, going on to win Premiership and Cup honours during his seven years there, before returning to Scotland where he finished his rugby career with Border Reivers at Netherdale.

Doddie played in three World Cups, and famously scored twice against the New Zealand All Blacks in the 1995 tournament staged in South Africa, returning there two years later as part of the British & Irish Lions touring team.

Doddie is married to Kathy and they have three sons, Hamish, Angus and Ben and live on their farm between Lauder and Melrose. Balancing looking after the farm and the family Doddie is also commercial director for Hutchison Environmental Solutions, a waste management company and a ‘well kent’ face on the rugby circuit both as a commentator and after dinner speaker.

Diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in 2016, Doddie subsequently launched his My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, which raises funds to help with research into MND and assist fellow sufferers.