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Portrush-based actor Jimmy Nesbitt has been unveiled amongst a star-studded line up of captains for Doddie Aid 2025 – one of the world’s biggest mass participation fundraising events for motor neuron disease research.

The Cold Feet and The Hobbit star, 59, will captain the Irish team in the new-look four nations format alongside Ireland and Exeter Chiefs rugby star Edel McMahon.

Nesbitt has become a prominent member of the MND community, supporting major fundraising efforts including Kenny Logan’s Rugby World Cup Challenge in 2023 – which raised more than £850,000 for My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.

The Northern Ireland actor was honoured as a Doddie Champion at the 2024 My Name’5 Doddie Foundation Annual Awards Dinner – the event held by the charity funded by late rugby star and MND campaigner Doddie Weir. Weir died in November 2022 after living with MND for almost six years.

Jason Fox, Kenny Logan and James Nesbitt after completing the Kenny Logan 700-mile Rugby World Cup endurance challenge to raise £555k for Doddie Weir foundation. CREDIT CRAIG WATSON

Now in its fifth year, Doddie Aid 2025 – the main fundraiser for My Name’5 Doddie Foundation – promises to be the biggest yet. Each home Union – England, Ireland, Wales, and Doddie’s native Scotland – will be led by two celebrity star captains. Ally McCoist and Lorraine Kelly will lead Scotland, Anton Du Beke and Gabby Logan will fly the flag for England, while Sam Warburton and Laura-Jane Jones will lead in Wales.

Doddie Aid, founded by former Scotland captain and Weir’s 1997 British & Irish Lions teammate Rob Wainwright in 2021, has so far raised more than £5 million for research into the disease.

The campaign also marks Doddie Aid’s new expanded four-nations format – England, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland meaning participants will for the first time compete against each other amongst friends, family, colleagues, communities, sports clubs, and beyond as they rack up miles to raise vital funds for MND research.

My Name’5 Doddie Foundation has committed more than £18 million to vital motor neuron disease (MND) research – two years on from the rugby legend’s death from the neurodegenerative disorder.

To sign up to Doddie Aid 2025, download the app or visit doddieaid.com. For more information about My Name’5 Doddie Foundation visit myname5doddie.co.uk/

Actor Jimmy Nesbitt to captain Irish team in star-studded line up for MND fundraiser for Doddie Weir charity