🚀 In 2010, Jamie, Michael, and Simon Start Trust Rugby International

In 2010, Jamie, Michael, and Simon decided to start a new adventure by founding Trust Rugby International (TRI) in Scotland. This organisation aims to unify individuals, communities and cultures through the sport of rugby, fostering inclusivity and community spirit. Since then, Simon has been dedicated to TRI, as it encompasses his two biggest passions: rugby and helping people. TRI has since expanded its reach, including notable development in Spain, where it continues to promote the values of inclusivity and teamwork. It has also grown in Canada, USA and New Zealand.

🏉 Simon's Rugby Journey Begins

Simon started playing around the age of 16 when he was pretty much thrown into an adult rugby match because they did not have enough forwards, and he was the biggest guy around. Since then, he has never let go of the sport. He has grown through it, from playing to coaching the local team, to continuing his coaching journey through TRI, inspiring and helping more people than he will ever accept. His Clan has always and will always be his everything.

🏟️ The Family's Passion for Rugby

Apart from playing and coaching, Simon loves watching a good game and has passed down that enthusiasm to his children. Every chance he got, he convinced his wife to visit Murrayfield for one of the autumn tests. His children always expected that moment of the year, to feel the magic of the stadium while singing "Flower of Scotland" and seeing how their dad felt every word of the anthem.

⭐️ Striving for Self-Improvement and Role Models

Through life, Simon has strived to improve and challenge himself to become a better version, looking up to different important figures in his life. One person he admired the most and aspired to be like, who shaped him as a rugby player and person, is oor Doddie Weir. Simon followed Doddie from the moment he debuted as an international player, to his ‘mistaken identity’ and through his brave battle against MND. In 2017, Simon was at the match where Doddie launched his foundation; in 2018, he was walking behind Doddie towards the Olympic Stadium of Rome in an event to raise MND awareness. That day, Simon got to briefly meet his hero, and he talked all the way to the stadium about everything Doddie had accomplished, and what an incredible person he was. You could tell that Doddie had a great impact on him.

💪 Simon's Battle with MND

However, as Simon says, his wish fairy has a weird sense of humour, and in 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, he was diagnosed with MND. From that moment on, he became a fellow warrior against MND, following Doddie from another point in life, hanging on to his encouraging words in the most difficult moments of the journey. Due to MND, Simon hasn’t been able to continue his tradition of visiting Murrayfield as a family, but with some help, his children were able to surprise each other by attending a very special game last November. They attended the All Blacks game, which celebrated the 5th anniversary of the Doddie Weir Foundation, and thanks to My Name’5 Doddie Foundation and Scottish Rugby, they were able to meet the Scottish and All Blacks players. What will stick with them forever will be the morning of the match. They were invited to wave off Sir Kevin Sinfield to his last 7in7 challenge, but what they weren’t expecting was that Doddie would be surprising everyone by making an appearance at 7am in the cold to wave him off as well. After the event, they were lucky enough to be introduced to Doddie and were able to quickly tell him everything about Simon and his journey, and that is the reason why that day will be one of the best days of their lives.

🦒 The Doddie Weir Foundation

The Doddie Weir Foundation, officially known as My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, has had a profound impact on raising awareness and funds for MND research. Founded by the legendary rugby player Doddie Weir after his own diagnosis, the foundation's mission is to help find a cure for MND and support those affected by the disease. Their efforts have not only funded critical research but also provided much-needed support to MND patients and their families. Doddie’s resilience and dedication have inspired many, including Simon, to continue fighting and advocating for a cure.

✈️ What we'll do with the money raised: Taking the Scottish Team to Spain

To honor Simon's commitment to TRI and his love for rugby, the funds raised will be used to take a Scottish team over to Spain, where Simon is currently based. This initiative will strengthen the international bonds of the rugby community and promote the inclusive values of TRI across borders. The trip will provide an opportunity for players to engage in cultural exchange, share best practices, and play friendly matches, furthering the mission of TRI and fostering a spirit of unity and collaboration.

🙏❤️ Thank You, Doddie

Doddie has had an incredible impact on Simon and his family, and they will be forever grateful for everything he has given them. Even if they met him two brief times, he is the kind of person you could never forget, and the day of his passing, they felt it as if he was from their own family. Thank you, Doddie, for everything, and thank you to Kathy, Hamish, Angus, and Ben for your efforts and continued work to raise funds and awareness for MND. As the “Mad Giraffe” used to say, “MND is not incurable, it’s underfunded.”