ON the eve of Doddie Weir being given a standing ovation at Murrayfield on Saturday, slightly closer to home pupils at Galashiels Academy were boosting his charitable foundation with a fundraising cheque.

The 47-year-old former Scotland star from Stow is currently battling the degenerative condition motor neurone disease.

Amid emotional scenes at Murrayfield on Saturday, accompanied by his three sons Angus, Hamish and Ben, Doddie delivered the match ball ahead of the All Blacks test match.

Just a few months after being diagnosed with MND, Doddie launched a charitable foundation in the summer to raise funds for research into the condition.

The My Names’5 Doddie Foundation has won support from across the rugby world.

And last week a former team-mate of Doddie, Gary Armstrong, arrived at Galashiels Academy to receive a cheque for over £600.

Doddie's nephew, Douglas Weir, who is a second year pupil at the Academy, helped make the presentation.

Galashiels Academy head Kevin Ryalls told us: "We were delighted to present a cheque for £612.05 to Gary Armstrong from Doddie's foundation.

"On hand to present the cheque were our S6 charities committee as well as Douglas."

Donations can be made to the foundation by texting MNDD05£1 to 70070 or visiting www.myname5doddie.co.uk