A 12-MILE walk and the auction of signed rugby shirts on Saturday will help raise funds for a trust set up by a former international.

Ex-Scotland player and British and Irish Lion Doddie Weir, 47, started the Doddie Weir’5 Trust after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

The walk from Upton RFC, Old Street, to Ledbury RFC, Ross Road, and auction have been organised by his Hanley Swan-based former club and international team-mate Peter Walton.

Walton, along with five friends and family, will do the walk and then hold an auction of signed Premiership rugby shirts following Ledbury’s home fixture against Shipston-on-Stour.

It is hoped he will be met at Ledbury by several well-known past and present players, including Wales ace Ross Moriarty, Worcester Warriors' Chris Pennell and his team-mate Will Butler.

Walton said: “Doddie and I played together at Newcastle when we won the Premiership and for Scotland on many occasions.

“We became and stayed very close friends so when I heard about his diagnosis I felt I wanted to organise something to raise money for his newly-founded trust.

“The walk and the auction will hopefully raise a few pounds.

“Every penny counts so we’d ask local people to dig deep and either meet us on route at British Camp on the day of the walk to throw money into the buckets or come along to Ledbury Rugby Club.”

Walton has also put forward signed Premiership shirts from his own collection for eBay auctions.

He added: “The rugby community is close knit and the news about Doddie’s condition has hit a good many people.

“There are a number of events going on around the UK to help raise money for his trust and to raise awareness of the condition.

“It is the very least we can do for a very special person.”

The walkers are due to leave Upton at 8.30am on Saturday and should arrive at Ledbury for lunchtime.

More details can be found at walkfordoddie.co.uk.