Annie Kenyon of
Annie Kenyon Architects Ltd has received the ‘Doddie Champion’ Award at the My
Name’5 Doddie Foundation Anniversary Dinner, which took place last Thursday November 28.
Annie has been recognised for her boundless efforts in raising money
to find a cure for Motor Neurone Disease (MND), since she lost her mum to the
disease in 2021.
“It is an absolute honour to receive The
Doddie Champion to recognise my efforts - however it really is a team effort
and I’m so thankful to the amazing people that got involved,” said Annie.
Earlier
this summer, Annie was one of the lead organisers of ‘Sandy Duffus’ Tractor
Run’, alongside Kim Tedcastle and Chris Powell of CC Powell Ltd.
Together, with
the loan of the Doddie iCON (a tartan-wrapped JCB tractor), they set out to
raise as much money as they could for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. They
successfully raised an incredible £80,069 which will be used by the foundation
to better understand this devastating disease and find a cure.
The
tractor run was held in support of Sandy Duffus - a well-known and respected
man amongst the North-east agricultural community, who was diagnosed with MND at
the start of the year. Over 250 tractors followed Sandy as he drove the Doddie
iCON, leading the march from Turriff to Inverurie on the August 14.
A week
prior to the event, Annie and the team presented the same tractor in the main
ring at the annual Turriff Show – creating awareness of MND and encouraging
showgoers to donate to the foundation.
“Seeing
all the farmers come out and support the tractor run that day was utterly
amazing – it truly demonstrates what a supportive community we have. I hope
that the awareness created makes a noticeable difference towards finding the
cure,” commented Sandy Duffus.
“May
I encourage everyone to support the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation – as the money
raised goes directly into the research that aims to find the cure. A huge thank
you to all those who donated, attended the tractor run, and to the organisers
behind the scenes for bringing the event to life.”
Kenny
Logan, Scottish rugby player and former teammate of Doddie Weir, said: “It was fantastic to see the
Aberdeenshire farming community rally round for Sandy and to raise such an
incredible amount for the Doddie Foundation this summer. The more awareness and
funds raised, the closer we can get to finding a cure.”
Annie
added: “Prior to the incredible tractor run we held in the summer – an event
that will forever be in our hearts – we held a pledge ‘Donate a Tonne for
Doddie’ campaign at 2023 Turriff Show, as well as my partner Duncan’s cycle to
Paris last year, and thanks to the help of Megan Stephen - a dinner dance at
the P&J Live - which will take place again next year.
"The fundraising
events have, so far, raised in the region of £250,000 and I aim to continue
working with those involved until we find a cure.
“I
have also been fortunate enough to meet Doddie Weir and will forever be
grateful for all he has done in the MND community. Mum and Doddie both taught
me to live every day to the fullest and do everything with a bit of a smile –
as you just don’t know what is around the corner.”
For more information on Motor
Neurone Disease, and to get involved in raising funds the My Name’5 Doddie
Foundation, visit: https://www.myname5doddie.co.uk