On 8 Feb, Stockbridge Local joined hundreds of My Name’s Doddie Foundation supporters at the Grassmarket to welcome back the inspirational cyclists from their near 800 mile Doddie's Grand Tour from Dublin to Edinburgh, led by former Scotland rugby captain Rob Wainwright Cliad Farm with the Six Nations match ball strapped to the back of his bike and teammates including former Irish rugby player Gordon D’Arcy, Stockbridge local record breaking cyclist Mark Beaumont, who inspired 300 Stockbridge locals at Stockbridge Local’s 1st event in 2016, another Stockbridge local, Angus Hay and a volunteer from the foundation, Mia Noquet.
The were joined by 300 others, including former Scotland rugby legend Scott Hasting, former Scotland rugby player Rory Lawson and former Deacon Blue drummer Dougie Vipond.
Rory Lawson, with other FP’s, Dollar Academy
Tragically, Rory Lawson lost his good school friend Scott Stewart to MND in Dec 24 and former school Dollar Academy put on a spectacular welcome to the cyclists on their tour, including the school pipe band playing under the pillars of the main Playfair building dressed in Doodie tartan. Scott was also the brother of school friend of Stockbridge Local founder, Susannah Morgan and inspired Susannah to share her recent surgery story, which was headline news on BBC Scotland, the day after Scott passed away, on which day Susannah and Scott were in contact and the same journalist Angie Brown covered both stories. 1 week later Kenny Logan’s tribute to Scott was next to Susannah’s story.
Since Susannah, raised £2,000 for Scot’s ‘Team Rae’ for The Doodie foundation, through family and friends of Dollar Academy and Egg Edinburgh, smashing his target of £55,555 in July ‘25, when Doodie would have been 55 and he has raised a phenomenal £64,079.
Stockbridge Local, Mark Beaumont
The atmosphere was electric, with Doddie's wife Kathy joining in for the final day with two of her nieces, a reminder of why the Foundation started
Doddie the Dino was in attendance along with the Doodie the icon tractor which provided plenty https://markbeaumontonline.com.
Stockbridge Local weren’t lucky enough to have tickets to see Scotland v Ireland at Murrayfield on 9 Feb to see Rob hand over the match ball to Sir Chris Hoy, but did watch the emotional moment at our prime spot in The Raeburn, Stockbridge, with the bonus of free half time pies. Gerard Butler, who also had supported Doodie’s Grand Tour, made an appearance next to us after being at the game, to commiserate the results.
Sir Chris Hoy has been hosting weekly Zwift rides throughout Doodie Aid, on top of his battle with terminal prostate cancer and his wife suffering from an aggressive form of MS.
To date, the cyclists have raised over £1million, an immense achievement which will have such an impact on funding research to find a cure, as well as supporting patients of MND and their families.
Huge congratulations to everyone who took part in the cycle and their support crews, without whom, the cycle wouldn't have been possible, the foundation and hats off to Police Scotland too for being such good sport with the Doodie the Dino.
““Together we will find a cure for MND.
”MND isn’t incurable, it’s just underfunded.” ”
The Justgiving page is open until 31 March any donations will be very gratefully received: