Dad-of-three diagnosed with motor neurone disease fundraising to find cure for condition after death of Scotland rugby player Doddie Weir

Weir, a former Scotland rugby international, raised millions of pounds for research into the condition after his own diagnosis with the condition. Now father of three James Clarke wants to carry on his work.

READ NOW: Campaign to save ship boosted

Mr Clarke, 42, from Wyck in east Hampshire, has already raised more than £440,000 for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation set up by Weir. Speaking about the rugby star, who died last month, Mr Clarke said: ‘The strength and determination he displayed whilst fighting MND was truly inspirational and the legacy he leaves is the stuff of legend.

‘I didn’t play much rugby at school, but I promise to pick the ball up and drive towards the MND try line, supported by friends and family as teammates and score some points against this toughest of opponents.’

A black tie ball Mr Clarke organised in October raised more than £200,000 for the cause, and a second event in February has already sold out. Mr Clarke said the first ball, held at Frensham Hall in Farnham, went ‘better than I ever could have imagined’.

He added: ‘I was completely overwhelmed by the support my family and I received on the night, and I am delighted we managed to raise as much as we did to fund the fight against MND.’

After being diagnosed with MND In December 2021, Mr Clarke began fundraising in July, completing a 50-mile cycle along historic Shipwright’s Way with his 13-year-old-son Ollie and 24 riders. Completing the cycle was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do,’ he said.

Mr Clarke, who with his wife Lottie and children Martha, 14, Ollie and Matilda, six, added: ‘It was my arms that bore the brunt of the pain due to the stress of holding my body upright on the bike. There were a few big hills on the trail which proved to be a real challenge – at one point, my friends Gary Hall and Phil Hobley had to physically hold me up on either side just to make it to the top. I didn’t stop once, though. I was determined to finish.’