Former Scotland rugby captain turns barista to launch fundraising coffee for Doddie Weir MND charity

A former Scotland rugby captain surprised office workers in Edinburgh this week by becoming a barista for the day.

Former Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby flanker John Barclay, who was capped 76 times by Scotland, helped launch a new coffee to raise money for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.

It’s hoped the new Doddie’5 Blend, produced by Devon-based Rugga Coffee, will raise thousands of pounds for the charity launched by former Scotland international Doddie Weir to end Motor Neurone Disease.

Barclay said: “I’d do anything for Doddie, so I was buzzing to get the chance to serve his new coffee, and I was even more buzzing after I tried it.

“It’s great to see how the wider rugby community has rallied behind him and have done whatever they can to help raise funds and awareness.

“When I spoke to people today, it once again reminded me not only how much love people have for coffee, but also how much love they have for Doddie. I think this will prove to be very popular!”

Players at Gloucester Rugby, who recently discovered their recently retired former teammate Ed Slater was diagnosed with the disease, were among the first to receive a bag.

Steve Edwards, MD of Rugga Coffee, which launched during lockdown selling coffee online and in rugby clubs, also delivered the coffee to some famous faces, including BBC’s Gabby Logan and her husband, Doddie Weir’s friend and former Scotland teammate Kenny.

Edwards said: “I grew up playing rugby in the second row watching Doddie, admiring the way that he played. Because of what Doddie’s going through now, and because I lost a close family member to MND, this is a cause very close to my heart.

“We want to raise as much money and awareness for the My Name’5 ’Doddie Foundation as possible, and to get people drinking good coffee.”

Doddie’5 blend is available, in both ground coffee and whole beans, at www.ruggacoffee.co.uk, with 250g bags available for £8.49 and 1kg bags available for £24.99, with a percentage of profits going to My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.