SCOTLAND'S sporting stars have issued a call to the nation to get some exercise in January – and raise money for Doddie Weir's motor neurone disease charity while they do so.

Kicking off on January 1, then running until the start of the 6 Nations on February 6, the challenge is open to any form of exercise, from running to rollerblading, cycling to skiing or just adding up daily steps.

The brainchild of Doddie’s former Scotland and British and Irish Lions teammate, Rob Wainwright, the national challenge has a competitive edge, reviving rugby’s old Scottish inter-district championship. As such, participants must choose which of the five districts they want their efforts to count towards – The South, Edinburgh, Glasgow, North and Midlands, and Scottish Exiles.

To get involved, potential participants should go to www.doddieaid.com to find out how to join their chosen district , make a donation, and get a free team snood to flaunt their new temporary identity. All exercise miles should then be recorded via a campaign-specific app from January 1. Come February 6, the team which has logged the most collective miles will be crowned Doddie Aid Inter-District Champions – and hopefully a heap of cash will have been raised for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.

Rob commented: “Doddie Aid is an opportunity to burn off all that festive excess while supporting Doddie and his Foundation in their efforts to find effective treatments for MND. As with anything involving Doddie, it has to be fun, and the management teams for the five districts are already playing dirty in their recruitment efforts.

“The eligibility rules have already courted controversy with captains attempting to poach stars from other districts," noted Rob, who shortly after suggested that The Scottish Farmer staff sign up to his own North and Midlands District. "I am not competitive, but it is clearly the District of choice," he added. "And felt it best to get at you before Doddie does."

Heading up the other regions are sporting legends including Mark Beaumont, Ally McCoist, Eve Muirhead and John Barclay, all looking to raise cash for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.

Doddie himself added: “The inter-district championship was a tremendous and highly competitive tournament; reigniting these tribal rivalries is a fantastic idea and I hope you all get involved and join The South – be part of a winning team! Wainwright wouldn’t even have made it onto the bench in our day.”

So right now, go to www.doddieaid.com

  • Select your chosen team here, donate and order your free snood;
  • Download the trac4good app onto your phone;
  • Join your team and start logging all your active miles;
  • Post a photo of you in your team snood on social media and recruit all your friends, family and workmates to join Doddie's amazing cause.