Healthcare provider pledges £10,000 to help fund Motor Neuron Disease research and support
Independent healthcare and managed services provider The Healthcare Collection has announced My Name’5 Doddie Foundation will be their charity partner for 2023 – pledging to donate a minimum of £10,000 over the next 12 months.
George Wilson ‘Doddie’ Weir OBE was a Rugby Union player who made 61 appearances for the Scotland team. He was diagnosed with the incurable condition MND in 2016.One of rugby’s most recognisable personalities, Doddie was frustrated by the lack of options available to MND sufferers. There was no effective treatment and no access to meaningful clinical trials.
To provide hope to others with MND, Doddie became involved with campaigning, setting up the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation – a reference to his jersey number at club and international level – to raise awareness and funds for research and support.
One of the Healthcare Collection’s brands is Klinikal which specialises in cosmetic, weight loss and gynaecology surgery and operates across 6 accredited UK hospitals in London, Manchester, Livingston, Nottingham, Scunthorpe and Torquay.
The company’s head office in Glasgow and colleagues across the UK will carry out a variety of activities to raise funds for the charity, which raises awareness of Motor Neuron Disease (MND). A life-shortening condition, it progresses rapidly, affecting the motor neurons of the nervous system so that messages sent from the brain to the muscles no longer work.
Managing partner David Shirra said: “As well as being an outstanding player for Scotland, Doddie Weir was an inspiration both on and off the pitch, battling MND with such dignity and working tirelessly to raise awareness of the disease.
“Degenerative brain illness is linked to so many areas of our expertise, including the treatment of obesity and women’s hormonal health. We’re committed to raising as much money and awareness as we can for the Foundation over the next 12 months.”
Paul Thompson, Director of Fundraising, said: “We’re delighted that the Healthcare Collection has chosen My Name’5 Doddie Foundation as their charity of the year. I know they have some ambitious plans for fundraising, and we can’t wait to see how they get on.
“Our vision of a world free of MND is only achievable through support like this and we’re hugely grateful that the Healthcare Collection team wants to help us kick MND into touch.”