THE rugby community has been rocked by the devastating news of gentle giant’s Doddie Weir’s illness.

The popular former Scotland and British and Irish Lions lock this week publicly announced he is battling the debilitating illness, motor neurone disease, as he wants to raise awareness of the condition.

While born north of the border in Edinburgh, Doddie (46) has been adopted by Tynedale folk during his long association with the area.

He married into the Hutchinson family of the North Tyne Valley, and he is a commercial director for Hutchinson Enviromental Solutions, based in Wark. During his six-year spell with Newcastle Falcons, he lived in Corbridge with his wife Kathy.

Larger than life in more ways than one, father-of-three Doddie has many admirers as both a person and sports person, the talented lock capped 61 times by Scotland and a member of the Lions team of 1997 when they toured South Africa. Falcons director of rugby Rob Andrew was so impressed that he made Doddie and Gary Armstrong the first ever professional Scottish rugby players in 1996.

Doddie, currently holidaying in New Zealand where the Lions are on tour, chose to announce his illness to coincide with Global MND Awareness Day.

He said: “Over the past few months, a number of friends and family have raised concerns surrounding my health.

“I think then, that on this day set to help raise awareness of the condition, I should confirm that I too have motor neurone disease.

“I should like to take this opportunity to thank the National Health Service in recognising, then diagnosing, this, as yet, incurable disease.

“I am currently on holiday in New Zealand with Kathy and the boys, and, when we return, I will devote my time towards assisting research and raising awareness and funds to help fellow sufferers.

“There are plans in place to create a charitable foundation to help in any way we can, and we will share these details with you after our family trip.”

Since Doddie took to social media and the internet to share his message, messages of support have come flooding in.

The team behind the Stay Strong Stu charity, set up to support North Wark farmer Stu Ridley battling a brain tumour, were touched by the strength of feeling from the community.

They took to Twitter to send Doddie a message, saying: “Stay strong Doddie. Your rugby family will stand by you to help get your message across to raise awareness.”

david.coulter@hexham-courant.co.uk