A HELENSBURGH-based international charity project has raised thousands of pounds for a trust set up by a former Scotland rugby player diagnosed with motor neurone disease earlier this year.

The 100 World Legends, set up by Dave Higgins from Helensburgh, comprises more than 35 ex international rugby players from around the world who support a number of charities in a rugby vet tens tournament in Scotland once a year.

They raised more than £5,000 for The Doddie Weir’5 Discretionary Trust..

Doddie, who played for Scotland 61 times between 1990 and 2000 (the 5 in the trust's name reflecting the number of his jersey throughout his Scotland career), set up the trust, with his family's help and support, after he was diagnosed with the incurable condition in June.

The trust’s aim is to support Doddie, his wife Kathy and their family in the months and years ahead and raise awareness about the condition.

The rugby community has offered enormous support and the 100 World Legends wanted to help while raising the profile of the degenerative condition.

The 100 World Legends took part in an International Legends fixture in Rugby, Warwickshire, recently, while three of the 100 World Legends project's teams competed in a veterans' ten-a-side tournament the following day.

Dave Higgins said: “It was a terrific event with our International capped players coming from across Europe and the UK to play, supported by nearly 40 of our club players, who all helped to raise money for Doddie Weir.

“We are again going to Dubai with two teams and again supporting Doddie at this event.

"We are hoping Doddie will be able to come with us, as all the players from around the globe will be doing their bit to support him and his foundation.

“We are also putting into place for next year the International Legends Vet Tens where Scottish clubs get a chance to play against some of the real rugby legends.

"This great event will be held again in the west of Scotland.”

The 100 World Legends charity project also have plans to launch a charitable foundation, titled My Names’5 Doddie Foundation, in the next few months.

The foundation will raise funds to both investigate the causes and potential cures for MND and make grants to individuals with the condition to enable them to live as full a life as possible.