We are delighted to invite you to support Doddie's Oui Doddle 2027, an epic fundraising cycling challenge led by Rob Wainwright in aid of My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, supporting vital research into Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
Following our incredible success of over the last 6 years which have raised over £8 million for MND research.
The team returns in 2027 with an even bigger challenge. From Wednesday the 17th to Sunday the 21st of February 2027, riders will cover approximately 1000 miles over five days, finishing in Paris ahead of Scotland’s match against France at the Stade de France.
About Doddie’s Grand Slam Team (DGS)
The Doddies Grand Slam Team (DGS) was established in 2022 by co-captains Ian Barr (Ex-SRU President) and Rob Boyns (Doddie Aid Team Wales Cycle Captain). The team includes rugby legends such as:
Ian Barr – Ex-President SRU
Roger Baird - Ex-Scotland & Lions, Team Ambassador
Huw Davies Ex-England
Tony Copsey – Ex Wales
Ivan Tukalo, Ex-Scotland
Our adventure will see a team of 28 (16 riders and 12 support) cycling around Britain and France. Over the years, the team and its extended family have raised over £750,000 for MND research.
The route includes:
Wednesday 17th: Edinburgh to Liverpool
Thursday 18th: Liverpool to Meifod
Friday 19th: Meifod to Bynea
Saturday 20th: Bynea Via Cardiff (and Delivery of Match Ball for the Wales Ireland Game – To Be Confirmed) to Southampton Ferry to Caen (France).
Sunday 21st Caen to Paris for the Game
The Cause
With Doddie’s MND diagnosis in 2017, the rugby community did what comes naturally and took action to support one of their own.
Over the last few years, members of Team have participated in various of Rob Wainwright’s Cycle Challenges for My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. With predominately Rugby Union backgrounds, many played with (or against) Doddie Weir, others knowing him through farming or family connections.
The mud was barely washed from the spokes in 2023 as plans were being formulated for something very different in 2024 by British & Irish Lion Roger Baird, SRU ex-President Ian Barr & Doddie Aid Welsh Captain Rob Boyns.
By the summer of 2023, they had pulled together a team of 30 cyclists and support crew, including English rugby legends Paul Volley & Huw Davies. Meticulous planning by the team over the next 7 months ensured that the whole squad completed the crazy All Roads Lead to Rome challenge (also supporting a 3 lone cycle squad) without any major incident and despite the horrific weather conditions in England & Wales.
The Team raised an unprecedented £216,091 in 2024 for The My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, smashing the fundraising target set for our challenge; which would not have been possible without the support of the many Sponsors we were privileged to connect with.
Going forward, the Team will continue to participate in events big and small and play a part to #tackleMND.
What’s with the Team Name?
The team name is in recognition of the mad giraffe who led the way in raising awareness and funds to find a cure for MND. It recognises that the team will visit each of the Six Nation Stadiums and the numbers reflect those brave individuals in the rugby community who have been doing their bit to raise awareness of MND through sharing their own stories.
Paul Rendall
Ed Slater
Doddie Weir
Rob Burrow
Donate
It would be fantastic if you could donate to our cause as little or as much as you can afford. Click on the big G below to be taken straight to our fundraising page.
