AN ONLINE whisky auction will take place next month to raise money for Borders rugby hero Doddie Weir’s foundation.

A number of highly sought-after bottles will go under the hammer, with proceeds going to the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.

The foundation, which was set up in 2017, aims to raise money to help with research into Motor Neurone Disease (MND), raising over £7 million to date.

Weir, who was diagnosed with MND in 2016, says he hopes the event shows that “like the return of international rugby this autumn we are back to tackle MND head-on”. 

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Speaking about the auction, Weir said: “I do love a dram myself and for a while, I’ve had this idea of doing something with the various distilleries and brands, in thanking them for the support they continue to give the foundation, but also to celebrate everything they have done for Scotland over the years.

“While many have staged individual challenges and events in recent months, the whole COVID pandemic has greatly curtailed our more public and mass participation fundraising activities.

“Doddie’s Whisky Auction will hopefully give a great many, from far and wide, a chance to support our work across all aspects of MND.”

The online auction will run between November 11-22, with the site now available for people to register on to take part in the fundraiser.

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Whisky society Keepers of Quaich has provided a rare private single cask bottling of Strathisla, Talisker, Highland Park and Glenfiddich, while the Worshipful Company of Liverymen has offered up two bottles of Master's Cask single malt, of which only 200 bottles were produced.

Loch Lomond Group, a Scottish independent whisky distillery, came up with the idea for Doddie’s Whisky Auction. 

Scott Dickson, marketing director of the distillery, said; “I watched Doddie last year on the BBC Sports Personality of The Year Awards and I made a commitment to myself to raise some awareness and more importantly funds for Doddie’s Foundation.

“Since starting this project it’s been amazing to see the generosity of the industry coming together to support the auction and proud that we have been able to do our bit and give something back.”