45 West Distillers are launching an exciting partnership with theMy Name’5 Doddie Foundation this weekend, unveiling the all new Burleighs Gin crafted alongside Scottish rugby legend, Doddie Weir. All profits will go directly to the Foundation, helping to fund vital research into the causes and potential cures of Motor Neurone Disease.

Available in stores, bars and online from www.burleighsgin.com, Doddie’5 Gin will be launching on March 9th, coinciding with one of the biggest clashes of the Six Nations, as Scotland take on the undefeatedWales side for the first time since the inaugural Doddie Cup .

The exclusive Doddie’5 Gin recipe was developed by Burleighs Gin Head Distiller, Ed Gibson and Doddie Weir at the 45West Distillery. They combined the unique Burleighs Signature recipe with specially selected botanicals that pay homage to Doddie’s roots in the ScottishBorders.

We are calling on rugby and gin fans to help tackle MND and bepart of the cure by raising a glass of the special edition gin. Doddie’5 Gin will be available to purchase throughout Great Britain, with a host ofScotland’s most renowned bars making the D&T available on opening weekend including; Biddy Mulligans, CommitteeRoom 9, The Granary, Tigerlily, Rabble and Candy.

Our drive with this partnership is to raise crucial funds and awareness for the MyName’5 Doddie Foundation. With the profit from each bottle sale going directly to the Foundation, we are committed to achieving our goal of raising £1,000,000(one million pounds). Initial support for the product has been overwhelming with over £12,500 raised during the pre-launch period.

The My Name’5 Doddie Foundation was setup in November 2017 by Doddie and his fellow Trustees, five months after he revealed the he was suffering from Motor Neurone Disease himself. Doddie earned61 caps for Scotland during a successful playing career and represented TheBritish & Irish Lions on their victorious 1997 tour to South Africa. From the outset of his diagnosis, Doddie has been driven to help fellow sufferers and seek ways to further research into this, as yet, incurable disease.

Doddie added: “We are delighted to be involved with Burleigh’s and very much appreciate their fantastic support through Doddie’5 gin. We had a great time creating the gin with Ed and the team at 45 West Distillers and I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I do! I was keen to introduce a hint of the Borders in to the flavour and we are thrilled with the result.”

It is hoped that the funds raised from the sales of Doddie’5 Gin will assist theFoundation in achieving its aims:

• To aid research into the causes of MotorNeurone Disease and investigate potential cures

• To make grants to individuals suffering from MND, to enable them to live as fulfilled a life as possible

Burleighs Gin are proud to join this new venture with one of rugby’s most recognisable personalities. 45 West Managing Director, Matt Payne, added: "Doddie is a truly inspirational character and working in partnership has been a humbling experience. We have created a fantastic gin together and feel honoured to be given the opportunity to support the Foundation’s ongoing fight to raise the necessary funding to find a cure for MND.”

A message from Doddie: https://vimeo.com/315928050

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