Doddie Aid 2024 may be over for another year but Rob Wainwright is about to take on his biggest challenge for the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation yet- All Roads Lead to Rome! 

This challenge follows on from the success of the Doddie Cup 555 ride which took place in 2023. There have been a number of rides organised by Rob Wainwright over the years, all of which follow the similar theme of cycling between two stadiums with the match ball for a Six Nations fixture. Previously he has cycled from Twickenham to Edinburgh and Edinburgh to Cardiff. 

Rob isn't taking on this challenge alone and is asking others to channel their inner adventurer in aid of the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation. He is challenging teams to get to Piazza Navona in Rome by 5pm on Friday 8th March for a celebratory limoncello but there is one rule- participants cannot get there by air! 

Rob's team, which includes rugby legends Stuart Hogg and Gordon D'arcy, will be leaving from Oban on Monday 4th of March and riding in continuous relay for four days, carrying the match ball for the Scotland vs Italy Six Nations match on the 9th March. 

Once they have set off on Monday 4th March you will be able to track their progress here through their live tracking website. 

Robs team isn't alone in their challenge with an additional 18 teams of cyclists joining them in their challenge, setting their own route and pace. Some are setting off on a solo ride across Europe, while others are taking the scenic route. Team 'Dodd1e'5 Gr4nd S7am' will visit all Six Nations stadiums on their route to Rome! You can learn more about them over on their website here. 

As part of the celebrations, all rugby fans in Rome are invited to two events over the weekend:

8th March: The core team will arrive into Rome with the match ball at Piazza Navona with specific timings and details shared closer to the time but the team would love your support as there is nothing like celebrating the end of an epic challenge with fellow supporters. 

9th March: Thousands of Scottish Rugby fans are meeting at the Piazza del Popolo a couple of hours before the Scotland vs Italy match kicks off. From here they will march en-masse in Doddie headbands to the Stadio Olympico. Again, specific timings and details will be shared closer to the time. 

If you have been supporting the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation for a while you might remember a similar event from 2018 which was also lead by Rob Wainwright called ' The March of 1000 Headbands'.

If you would like to support the event there is a All Roads Lead to Rome JustGiving Page here. The challenge is aiming to raise £1 million for the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, all to fund the much needed research to find effective treatments for MND. 

The My Name'5 Doddie Foundation was set up in 2017 by former Scotland rugby player, Doddie Weir and friends following his motor neuron disease diagnosis (MND). Doddie was always committed to helping fellow sufferers and driving research into this, as yet, incurable disease. 

To date the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation has committed over £11 million to fund vital research as well as £2 million to support people living with the disease. The Foundation's vision is a World Free of MND and they won't stop funding research until this has been achieved.