Clare Vet Group team at their DoddieVet community dog walk and fundraiser.copyright IVC Evidensia
Record-breaking DoddieVet Challenge Unites UK Veterinary Community In Fight Against MND
6 days ago 
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Veterinary teams across the UK have helped drive record participation in DoddieVet 2026, collectively raising more than £16,000 for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) research.
The annual DoddieVet challenge encouraged veterinary practices to come together and log as many miles as possible in support of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. Open to the entire profession, the initiative challenges teams to pledge miles through activities including running, cycling, swimming and walking, with friendly competition helping to drive engagement throughout the month.
Organised by Beth Sweeney MRCVS, Veterinary Surgeon at Kilbarchan Vets, an IVC Evidensia practice, DoddieVet has grown year-on-year and this year saw its strongest uptake to date. In total, 56 veterinary teams and 469 individuals from across the UK took part, raising £16,602, including £9,060 generated through sign-ups alone.
Within the IVC Evidensia network, engagement was particularly strong, with 33 practices taking part. The group is also celebrating a clean sweep of the top three positions on the final leaderboard, all secured by IVC Evidensia practice teams:
- Clare Vet Group – 23,379 miles
- Shore Vets – 6,182 miles
Millburn Vets – 5,091 miles
Clare Vet Group’s standout total, almost equivalent to a full lap of the Earth’s circumference, was achieved through consistent, whole-team participation across four practices. From lunchtime runs and morning dog walks to farm visits and a bike relay, colleagues embraced a wide range of activities, raising £5,444 for the charity alongside their mileage total.
Beth Sweeney, who founded and continues to coordinate the veterinary league, said: “DoddieVet was created to bring the veterinary community together for a cause that means so much to so many people. To see record participation this year – and such incredible energy, creativity and commitment from practices across the UK – has been genuinely moving. The miles, the fundraising and the sense of togetherness all make a real difference, and I’m incredibly proud of everyone who took part.”
Throughout January, participants embraced a series of themed challenges designed to encourage teamwork and community spirit. These included the ‘New Year’s Dook’, which saw teams from Crown Vets, Fenaghy Vets and Bridge Vets take an icy cold-water plunge to mark the start of the challenge, alongside ‘Buddy Up’, encouraging group exercise, and ‘DoggieAid’, rewarding the best photo of a pet sporting a DoddieAid snood.
Weekly prizes were bigger than ever, with rewards ranging from pet apparel and portable speakers to headphones and a highly sought-after Tractive tracker. Winning teams were also recognised by high-profile supporters of the foundation, including Kenny and Gaby Logan, Jasmin Paris MBE, fell runner and vet, and Scott Hastings, former Scotland rugby international.
DoddieVet runs alongside the wider DoddieAid campaign, which raises funds for MND research and support, inspired by the late Doddie Weir OBE.
Beth added: “A huge congratulations goes to all veterinary teams who took part this year, helping to demonstrate the power of the profession when it comes together for a shared cause. It is so important that we keep banging the drum for MND. We are already looking forward to DoddieVet 2027.”
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