Donate a “tonne” for Doddie at Turriff Show
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Well known north-east architect Annie Kenyon and her partner Duncan Barton are passionate supporters of the Doddie Weir Foundation, which raises awareness and funds to help find a cure for MND.
She lost her mother to MND and so has been very actively involved in fundraising for several years and was approached by former Scotland rugby player Kenny Logan’s team to take part in his World Cup Challenge.
Duncan has committed to join the team of 20 people cycling from Murrayfield to Paris in October with the match ball for the Scotland – Ireland rugby match.
In parallel they have committed to raise £15,000 through a series of events including a golf day, a hoolie and they have also come up with a way to get farmers involved at this year's Turriff Show with a campaign called Donate a “tonne” for Doddie.
They are asking for the farming community to get behind the fundraising campaign and donate the value of a tonne of whatever they produce – so this may be malting barley, feeding barley, wheat, tatties, carrots - they are open to anything.
They are also open to tonnes of any other produce equivalent such as feeding barley, dog feed (from Harbro) and even ice-cream from Mackies.
Duncan said: " In October I am joining Kenny Logan and an eclectic team, in a unique and gruelling challenge by covering 700 miles walking and cycling from BT Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh to the Stade de France, Paris over six days.
"Supported by the Rugby World Cup, we will be delivering the match ball for the Ireland v's Scotland final pool match on October 7, as well as raising important funds for the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation in the fight against Motor Neuron Disease.
"Not only will this be a physical challenge but also a great opportunity to raise funds for My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, is close to our families hearts.
"After losing Annie's mum to MND we want to do everything we can to raise awareness and funds for this charity to help find a cure for the next generation.
"As well as committing to taking part in the 700 miles, we have also agreed to raise over £15,000 along the way. "Annie is appointed as my 'fundraising manager' and is organising lots of fun events to achieve our goal."
He contined: "We will be launching our "Donate a Tonne for Doddie” campaign at the Turriff Show and I hope to see lots of you there.
"I'll be on my exercise bike doing some preparatory hard work in exchange for your ££ tonnes.
"Next we will be holding a Golf Tournament 'Weir Golfing For Doddie' on August 18 in Turriff, and would be delighted if anyone would like to enter a team or provide sponsorship for the day.
"Lastly, in September we are going to organise a Hoolie for Doddie which will be carrying forwards Doddies true spirit of fun, hilarity and of course some great banter.
"If you are able to donate any amount big or small I would be very grateful to you for helping us reach our goal."
Annie commented: "Farming was a huge part of Doddies life - and to give something back we are asking for people to get involved with our Donate a 'Tonne' to Doddies Campaign, to help with Doddie's Foundation fight to find a cure.
"Your donation will help us on our quest to find a cure for MND.
"We have a large stand at Turriff show on July 30 and 31 where Duncan will be on his training bike getting the miles in, and we will all be having great fun trying to get as many farmers on board as we can with a leader board lined up so we can shout out to everyone who is supporting us.
"Doddie had such a great network in the farming community and I’m sure all these amazing farmers, not just in the north-east but across Scotland, will get behind it.
"There are many ways you can donate, and no matter how big or small your donation, we are extremely grateful
"To take part we are looking for farmers and the community to donate the value of a 'Tonne' of what they produce.
"Produce could include - Malting Barley; Feeding Barley; Carrots; Potatoes; 'Neeps'; Wheat and Oil Seed Rape
Alternatively if you are not a farmer but want to get involved we are open to ‘Tonnes' of anything such as hardcore or bark."
Contact Annie on 07775 762506 to donate your 'value' of chosen 'Tonne'.
Or alternatively a contribution towards a Tonne via www.justgiving.com/fundraising/duncanbarton
