Along with fellow Pentland companies Canterbury and Endura, the brand is supplying Logan with kit to help him complete a seven-day, 700-mile cycling and walking route from Murrayfield, Edinburgh to the Stade De France, Paris. His aim is to raise £555,000 for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, a charity that was set up by the late Doddie Weir on learning that he had motor neurone disease (MND).

Setting off on Sunday 1 October, Logan will lead a 20-strong team of celebrities and fundraisers, including his wife and TV star Gabby Logan, football legend Ally McCoist, actor Jamie Bamber, television presenter Kirsty Gallacher, and adventurer Jason Fox. They will take on the challenge to deliver the match ball ahead of Scotland’s 2023 Rugby World Cup clash with Ireland on 7 October. Berghaus has kitted out members of the team with items from its latest range of performance outdoor gear.

Doddy Weir played more than 60 matches for Scotland in the number 5 jersey, and died in November 2022 after living with MND for six years. During his 70 international appearances for Scotland, Logan played with Weir at two Rugby World Cups, in 1995 and 1999. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in February 2022, only speaking about it publicly in September last year, following extensive treatment that included a prostatectomy. 

At first, Logan kept his diagnosis from Weir as he ‘felt guilty’ at having treatment options unavailable to the former Melrose and Newcastle Falcons second row. The approach that Weir and fellow Scotland teammate Tom Smith (who died last year from cancer) took to their illnesses helped him during his own health battle, and they will be front and centre of his thoughts when he takes on the challenge. 

Logan, who describes himself as 'fully recovered’ following treatment, said: “When Doddie first told me about his MND diagnosis I got really emotional, and he said ‘hey, it’s me that’s supposed to be upset!’

“I told family and some friends about my cancer, but didn’t feel I could tell Doddie – I felt too guilty. I thought about why my cancer can be checked for and removed, and his MND couldn’t? Doddie gave me a bollocking for keeping it a secret. Then he asked if I was going to be okay, and that was it. 

“Doddie and Tom had an incredible mindset in the toughest of circumstances. When you get hit by something like cancer or MND you lose confidence and positivity, but they cracked on and didn’t let it affect them. It was my duty to do the same. 

“Doddie was larger than life and that’s why he touched so many people all over the world. He was stubborn, but as soon as he realised he wouldn’t be able to help himself, he dedicated his time to helping others. I think about him all the time. We all miss him.” 

Kenny’s World Cup Challenge team will tackle an average of 100 miles a day with participants alternating between walking days and cycling days. Preparations have involved a gruelling training schedule, but Logan is confident of being in shape in time for the grand depart from Edinburgh on 1 October.

The celebrities will be joined by teams of supporters, helping to raise as much money as possible for My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. The challenge is also backed by high-profile sponsors, including Thrifty, Arnold Clark, Highland Spring, Specialized, Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky, DAF Trucks, Yeti, Endura, Berghaus, and Canterbury.

Logan adds: “We planned it following my treatment. I wanted a target for my recovery and to do something special for Doddie – I needed something to help get my mojo back. I’m now 100% again and ready to go – the only thing I worry about is picking up an injury!

“It takes a phenomenal level of organisation and work to make an event like this happen, and the backing from our supporters and sponsors. In the team we’ve got Thrifty supplying support vehicles; great backing from Arnold Clark; Highland Spring keeping us hydrated; and Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky to keep us refreshed at the end of a hard day’s cycling – it takes a massive effort but shows how much Doddie means to everyone. Of course, being properly kitted out is also vital, so we’re very grateful to Berghaus and Endura for the specialist walking and cycling gear that we’ll be using along the way.

“When I think of my own diagnosis, I went to the doctor and had options. They were able to cut it out and I could recover. People with MND don’t have that – and that’s why we’re doing this for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, so that one day, everyone in Doddie’s position will have a better chance.”

The announcement of Kenny’s Rugby World Cup Challenge arrives as the My Name’s Doddie Foundation issues the first round of grants following the publication of its ambitious ‘Catalysing a Cure’ research strategy in April. Three projects will benefit from almost £800,000 from the foundation, including £250,000 for research into a pioneering drug delivery technique led by Dr Andrea Perera at King’s College London. The technique could increase the effectiveness of a drug that targets a toxic protein found in more than 90% of people living with MND. 

To find out more about Kenny Logan’s Rugby World Cup Challenge, visit kennylogansrwcchallenge.com For more information on the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, visit myname5doddie.co.uk.