Doddie Weir: 'March of 1,000 headbands' raises cash for motor neurone disease charity
THOUSANDS of headband wearing rugby fans marched through the streets of Rome in advance of Scotland’s victory over Italy.
Doddie Weir fans wore headbands to Rome pledging support to the Dark Blues legend
They were supporting Dark Blues legend Doddie Weir who revealed in June last year that he was suffering from Motor Neurone Disease for which there is no cure.
The 'March of 1,000 Headbands' was the finale of the 'Doddie Gump', which set out to get people walking 50,000 miles, or twice round the world, to raise money for the My Name's Doddie foundation.
Rugby fans in Rome were asked to wear a headband - Weir's trademark on the pitch - and walk 2.5 miles from Piazza del Popolo to the Stadio Olympico.
In the event, Italian police were forced to close roads on the way to the stadium as more than 5,000 people joined in the good-natured march.
Doddie Weir was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in 2017
BBC Scotland sports reporter Andy Burke tweeted: "Extraordinary effort. Team bus drove by the march. Gregor Townsend told me it had a big impact on him and the players."
Harry Potter author JK Rowling met Weir at the match - which saw Scotland run out nail-biting 29-27 winners - and tweeted: "Half time with the legend that is @DoddieWeir5."
The Doddie Gump Facebook page said: “This is part of a weekend of activity for Doddie Gump where we are aiming to log enough collective mile to circumnavigate the globe with Doddie.”
Weir, who was born in Edinburgh started playing rugby for Stewart’s Melville, went on to play for Melrose and was part of the team which won six Scottish club championships.
Doddie made his first appearance on the pitch in 1990
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His first appearance for Scotland was in 1990 against Argentina at Murrayfield and he was a mainstay of the team throughout the 1990s.
He won 61 Scottish caps and finished his playing career at The Borders in 2004.