The son of rugby legend Doddie Weir has commended the fundraising efforts a group of Stonehaven residents have undertaken in honour of his dad.
A charity ball held on Saturday is expected to raise tens of thousands for the charity the Scotland great set up following his diagnosis with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) last year.
Hundreds of revellers, including Scotland player Grant Gilchrist, attended the Strive Ball at Aberdeen’s Marcliffe Hotel to contribute donations towards research.
The bash was the third and final fundraiser organised by the group, which has already amassed more than £75,000 for the Doddie Weir Foundation through a 700-mile cycle in August and an eight-team rugby tournament which took place in Stonehaven earlier this month.
Mr Weir’s eldest son Hamish, 17, attended and said he was touched at the benevolent efforts of the Aberdeenshire community.
He said: “The level of funds already raised by the Strive team is incredible and it looks like even more will be added as a result of the ball.
“I know how much effort goes into organising one event, never mind three, and I’d like to take the opportunity to congratulate everyone involved for what they have achieved to date.
“All the money raised will go to help fund research into MND, which will hopefully one day result in a cure.”
Strive founder, Willie Tulloch, said: “After the cycle and the rugby tournament, it was great to relax a bit and enjoy a night of fun and friendship as we concluded our fundraising efforts.
“Doddie Weir is such an inspirational character and has demonstrated great bravery and courage since his diagnosis last year.
“MND is a horrible disease and we hope our contribution to his charity will help make a difference to those people who are suffering from it.”
More information about STRIVE can be found at www.strive.buzz