Woman praises neighbour's tribute to rugby-loving husband

Community champion Anwar Rafiq completed the Edinburgh Kiltwalk in memory of Murrayfield and Glasgow Warriors seat holder Robert Ford who passed away in March at the age of 83.

Given Robert’s passion for rugby, Anwar chose to take on the challenge for the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, which was set up by Doddie Weir OBE.

Doddie, who died in 2022, was one of the sport’s most recognisable personalities and earned 61 caps for Scotland during a successful playing career.

Robert Ford (Image: Sourced) Robert’s wife Margaret, 80, from Neilston, said: “I got something like 140 cards sent to me after Robert died and everyone said the same thing, what a gentleman he was.

“He was just a nice guy who enjoyed his rugby. I was proud of him. He listened to people and he would have helped anybody.

“Robert just loved rugby and I thought it was a wonderful gesture from Anwar.

“They had known each other for a number of years. Robert always supported Anwar no matter what challenge he was doing for whatever charity.”

(Image: Sourced) Margaret and Robert, who were originally from Edinburgh, got married 60 years ago and moved to Neilston more than 20 years ago from Paisley.

Robert was a motor mechanic by trade and later worked in various other roles, including for BT.

“We just had an exceptionally happy life and lovely neighbours,” added Margaret.

Anwar (Image: Sourced) By taking on the Kiltwalk last month, his third of the year, Anwar has coined in hundreds of pounds and counting for motor neurone disease charity My Name'5 Doddie Foundation.

Anwar completed the 20-mile Edinburgh event in four hours and 54 minutes, beating the time he managed in the same event last year.

A veteran of 11 Kiltwalks, in August Anwar took on the 21.5 mile Dundee Kiltwalk for the St Thomas the Apostle Parish re-roofing project.

Also this year, in April, he completed the Glasgow Kiltwalk in aid of Neilston and Uplawmoor First Responders.

Next year Anwar has his sights set on taking on all four Kiltwalks to raise cash for Renfrewshire-based cancer support group Rays of Hope.

(Image: Sourced) Anwar said: “Robert loved rugby so I agreed with Margaret to do the kiltwalk in his memory to celebrate his life.

“I was friends with him for a long time and Robert and Margaret supported me throughout all of my Kiltwalks as have local businesses, D Moodie and Co. The Village Fish Bar amongst a few.

“I would just like to thank them for the continued support and everyone else for their support over the years, it’s been great, so long may it continue.”

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