A CHEQUE for £50,000 has been handed over to a former Scotland rugby star as he battles motor neurone disease (MND).

Determined fundraisers organised An Evening for Doddie in East Lothian last spring.

East Lothian’s rugby community got on board, with Richard Scott, a long-time member at Haddington RFC, helping put together the event, which took place in Haddington’s Corn Exchange last March.

The fundraising dinner, which was compered by television personality and musician Dougie Vipond, had a target of £30,000.

But that figure was well and truly smashed.

Richard, who was joined in organising the event by Mark Leonard, as well as his sister-in-law Lindsey Niznik and ex-Scotland rugby captain and former North Berwick RFC head coach Jason White, was thrilled with the fundraiser’s success.

Richard, who works for Haddington-based farm machinery suppliers Thomas Sherriff & Co, told the Courier: “We were absolutely overwhelmed by the response we had from East Lothian in general, to be honest.

“As a group we had set a goal of £30,000 and thought we would be doing really well to reach £30,000. We have exceeded all expectations.

“I think it is about the way Doddie has conducted himself since he received the devastating news.

“He is just a larger than life individual that has taken it in his stride and just wants to raise awareness of this horrible disease.”

The four organisers met with trustees of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation last month to present the cheque.

Former second-row Doddie earned more than 60 caps for his country over a 10-year international career.

He announced he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in summer 2017 and set up the fund to raise money for research into the condition and to provide grants to people living with MND.

There is no known cure for the condition, which affects the brain and the nerves.

The former rugby star and trustees of the charity have gone on to raise a considerable sum of money and Richard added: “The money that is raised is going to research, it is going to respite for families and it is also to assist with putting chairlifts into the homes of people with MND. That is where the money is going and a considerable sum of that has gone out to those sources.”