Football match raises over £20,000 for MND charities

A SPECIAL friendly match which took place between two old, cross-border, footballing foes has raised an astounding 14,000 pounds and 10,000 euros.

The match, which raised money for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) research as well as organisations who provide end of life services, was played between two defunct clubs; Blane Rovers from Aghyaran, and Border Celtic from Donegal.

The person who inspired the event was an Aghyaran man who is well-known to both clubs, Joe Gallen. Joe became determined, as a consequence of his own misfortune of having developed MNS, to raise money to fuel research to find a way of tackling the life-limiting condition.

Joe’s niece, Bridget McGinty, explained how this vast sum of money has been raised a result of a decision of a few former teammates, family members and friends, to hold a ‘small charity match to raise some money for people in Joe’s situation’.

“As one of Blane Rovers all-time top strikers, Joe was a hero at one club and a villain at the other, so they thought it would be a nice idea to get the two clubs back for a kind of charity reunion game,” said Bridget.

The match was arranged to take place at Finn Valley Leisure Centre and the squads were to be filled with a combination of former players and some local younger players.

Bridget said, “It began fairly small and then just grew and grew.

“Sponsor sheets were handed out, then a GoFundMe was set up – before we knew it we were racking up thousands. On the day, buckets were handed around which were generously filled by those who attended, unfazed by the inclement weather.”

Bridget said, “The final piece of the fundraising puzzle was the raffle which businesses, both sides of the border, donated to without persuasion.”

Bridget describe one incident which epitomised the kindness and selflessness which allowed so much money to be raised.

“Somebody donated £1,000 anonymously to the raffle and the person who won that prize refused to accept it, opting to put it back into the fund. I thought that was extraordinary,” said Bridget.

The money raised has been split between four charities.

“On the Aghyaran side of the border we donated 10,000 sterling to MND Association NI, and 4,000 to Castlederg Terminally Ill Fund.

“And on the other side we donated 8,000 euro to Irish MND Association, and gave the other 2,000 to Donegal Hospice,” concluded Bridget.

On behalf on her uncle Joe – who Bridget said was overwhelmed and humbled by the support shown – and the rest of the family, Bridget extended her deepest thanks.