AN EYE-CATCHING tartan suit is embarking on a fundraising journey throughout the UK in a quest to combat motor neurone disease.

In September, Prenton Rugby Club raised £15,000 during a "tartan takeover" for the My Name5 Doddie Foundation. The charity was set up by the late rugby union player Doddie Weir.

The suit has since travelled north to Stirling Bulls Sales where United Auctions, Scotland’s leading livestock auctioneers, bid £2,000 for the suit during a charity auction held at a special Q&A event with former Scotland rugby captain and United Auctions’ customer Rob Wainwright who is an ambassador for the Foundation. 

READ: Prenton Rugby Club raises £15k for Doddie Weir foundation

Rob Andrews, Prenton RFC Club member who initiated the special charity fundraiser day with Doddie said: “I realised that the bid and donate concept for the tartan suit could be repeated, from rugby club to club initially, but Rob Wainwright has proved that there is a wide range of venues that could take part and send the suit on a journey to who knows where, raising awareness and funding and benefitting the Foundation at each stop.” 

Now, as the custodians trusted with the legacy of this Travelling Tartan Suit, United Auctions is poised to carry forward the momentum. The suit will be travelling to a specially selected Scottish rugby event with whom United Auctions has connections to raise even more vital funds for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation next year. 

 During its journey, each successive custodian of the suit will affix their badge or logo as a lasting token of their involvement so that the tartan suit will be adorned with the emblems of all its dedicated fundraising contributors, reflecting its unique journey.

Christopher Sharp, Group Director of United Auctions, said: “The Travelling Tartan Suit holds immense potential, transitioning between the realm of rugby to the farming industry aligns seamlessly given their historical association in Scotland. The Suit will become a living story of the custodians and the journey it has undertaken to honour the memory of Doddie Weir as well as raise important funds for MND research. It’s a great privilege to be part of this legacy.”