SEVEN new individuals have been named Doddie Champions at the annual dinner at Prestonfield House Hotel in Edinburgh.
Richard Ellis has been a supporter since the very early days, right at the heart of Doddie Aid, and as a part of the Rob Wainwright’s epic rides between Cardiff and Edinburgh. He is a talented photographer and team manager of the Edinburgh District for the mass participation event.
Belinda Roberts is a hugely passionate and committed supporter of the foundation. A successful businesswoman and networker extraordinaire, she continues to make connections that bring new supporters to the charity on an almost daily basis. Having been affected by motor neurone disease (MND) in her own family, it is clear how important tackling the disease is to her.
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Henry Fraser is truly inspirational and has had to overcome huge challenges of his own. Aged 17 he suffered life-changing injuries in an accident that left him paralysed from the shoulders down. A promising rugby player until this point, he has become one of the most incredible artists in the UK today, having learnt to paint using only his mouth. Since the early days of the foundation, his artwork has raised enormous sums of money to support the charity.
Danny Sawrij has also been a huge supporter of the foundation and was a close friend to Weir. As well as sponsoring the foundation many times through his company, Leo Group, he has also got stuck into the physical side of things too – most recently in joining Kenny’s World Cup Challenge last month for the full 700 miles.
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Ian Fraser has been central to the meteoric rise of Doddie Aid over the past few years. Alongside fellow Doddie Champion Rob Wainwright, Ian has been involved in every single aspect of the campaign as it has grown – from snood designs to social media and from ride logistics to managing Team Glasgow. He has been crucial in building the community aspect of Doddie Aid, which is what really makes it tick.
Calum Sharp lives and breathes Scottish rugby. A long-standing volunteer who in the last year alone has spent days selling merchandise at the Royal Highland Show, blowing up balloons for young supporters at the Edinburgh Marathon Festival, being interviewed on BBC Breakfast and even building the furniture when the team moved into their first office in May. He is one of the most knowledgeable advocates of the foundation’s work.
Ang Armstrong has gone above and beyond to support the charity during an incredibly difficult period. Ang and her whole family have tirelessly raised thousands of pounds, not least through a fantastic foodie fundraiser event this summer, but she also continues to bravely tell the story of what MND did to her family and why it is so important that we keep going until we can find a cure.
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Her husband, David, sadly died of MND just over a year ago, but Ang and her children made a commitment to channel their grief into something positive.
The new Doddie Champions were announced at the event on Friday, November 17.
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