DARLINGTON Mowden Park are to host the inaugural “Doddie’5 Day” at Darlington Arena on Saturday.

The match day, which includes Mowden Park v Moseley and DMP Sharks v Firwood Waterloo, will be dedicated to the great Doddie Weir and his My Name'5 Doddie Foundation.

Doddie Weir is one of rugby’s most recognizable personalities. He earned 61 caps for Scotland during a successful playing career, represented the British and Irish Lions on their successful tour to South Africa in 1997, and won championships with his two club sides, Melrose and Newcastle Falcons. A talented, committed and athletic lock forward, Doddie is now facing his biggest challenge.

In June 2017 the Scot revealed he was suffering from Motor Neurone Disease. From the outset, Doddie has been driven to help fellow sufferers and seek ways to further research into this, as yet, incurable disease. In November 2017 Doddie and his Trustees launched the registered charity My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.

Its aims are:

  • To raise funds to aid research into the causes of Motor Neurone Disease and investigate potential cures.
  • To make grants to individuals suffering from MND, to enable them to live as fulfilled a life as possible.

In order to support Doddie and his fight against MND, Darlington Mowden Park will be donating 50% of all Doddie'5 Day ticket sales to the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation.

Ahead of the games, Doddie said: "We are delighted to be benefiting from Doddie'5 Day at Darlington Mowden Park Rugby Club - a fine club with an important role in the heart of the local community. I hope you all have a fantastic day - two great matches to look forward and I am sure you will be well supported."

"Many thanks for supporting the Foundation, the rugby community has been incredible since I shared my diagnosis and your efforts today will help us to continue with our work. Last year we committed £1 million to MND research and to help those affected by this terrible disease and we hope to at least match this in 2019. This would not be possible without your help. Have a great day!"

The action on the field will see Mowden attempting to continue a strong start to 2019, after a dramatic last minute win over Rosslyn Park last weekend. A 80th minute Warren Seals penalty clinched the win for DMP, giving them their 2nd win over top 3 opposition in January alone. They welcome Birmingham Moseley to the Arena, with the midlands side looking for a much needed win to lift them out of the relegation zone. The men’s National One game, which kicks off at 3pm, is followed by the club’s ladies side the DMP Sharks taking on Firwood Waterloo in the Tyrrells Premier 15s at 5pm. The Sharks will be looking to leapfrog their opposition, who sit just a single point ahead of them in the league.

Tickets for the Doddie's Day double header are available on the day priced at £10 for adults, £8 for concessions and free for U16s.