Marcus Stewart
Football is often criticised for many things, sometimes rightly so, sometimes not.
However, when it comes to raising funds for charitable causes the football family, players and supporters alike, come together irrespective of the teams they play for or support.
That was in evidence again at a recent press conference held to launch an end of season charity match to be held on 13th May to raise funds for the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation.
As you are aware, former Bristol Rovers, Huddersfield, Ipswich, Sunderland, Bristol City, Yeovil Town and Exeter City footballer Marcus Stewart was recently diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and since his diagnosis Marcus and his wife Louise, operating as Team Stewart, have worked tirelessly to raise funds for the charity and highlight public awareness of MND. They have, to date, raised over £90,000 of their £100,000 target.
The press conference was attended by members of the hard working committee formed to make sure the game, between sides managed by Darrell Clarke Paul Tisdale respectively, is a huge success and will add a significant contribution to the sum already raised.
The committee were joined by Dawn Astle, daughter of Jeff and founder of the Jeff Astle Foundation who are the match sponsors, former Bristol City player Scott Murray and Helen Mackie of the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA).
Players taking part in the match include a full team of former Bristol Rovers players, including Tom Lockyer and Ellis Harrison, plus Jill Scott, Louis Carey, Stephen Warnock, Matt Holland, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt. Many more have also agreed to be at the match on the day, work commitments permitting, and they include Harry Redknapp, Ron Atkinson, Tony Mowbray, Calum Best, Michelle Owen, Colin Hendry and Dean Saunders.
The Darby Rimmer Foundation was launched by former Liverpool, Bradford City and Bolton Wanderers player Stephen Darby and his close friend Chris Rimmer, a former British Forces Veteran, both of whom were diagnosed with MND. The aim of the charity is to raise awareness of the illness and to help to raise funds to facilitate research into it, with the aim of finding a cure.
Full details of how to obtain tickets for the match can be found on the Bristol Rovers website www.bristolrovers.co.uk
Bristol Rovers Supporters Club and Bristol Rovers Former Players Association have offered their full support to Team Stewart and will be helping out wherever needed on match day.
