A KIDDERMINSTER football team has rallied to support their former team mate, whose health has rapidly decreased after she was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) just a month ago.
Stacy Whittle, a 37-year-old mum-of-two from Worcester, was playing football with her team mates at Areley Ladies Football Club this time last year, but, after being diagnosed with MND in September, she can no longer walk and uses oxygen through the night to help her breathe.
Now, her friends and team mates at Areley Ladies have walked, cycled, run, and swam 2,000 miles in October to help raise awareness and vital funds for the MND Association.
Stacy’s teammate, Kat Webster, said: “We know there is nothing we can do to change things, but we wanted Stacy to know that we are all with her.
“We wanted to do something positive, not only to raise awareness, but also to raise money for the MND Association, which is supporting her and her family.
“The idea is that we cover 2,000 miles during October, with the aim of raising £2,000.
“We’ve been shocked at just how much MND has taken from Stacy already.
“This time last year, she was playing football with us.
“She started experiencing some back pain, but it took a long time for her to be diagnosed; that only came in September.
“It has been a huge shock, but we really wanted her to see the camaraderie and how we will always be there for her.”
MND is a terminal, neurological disease that affects 5,000 people in the UK at any one time.
It affects the brain and spinal cord, leaving people unable to speak, eat, or even breathe. There are no treatments or a cure.
The MND Association supports people with the disease in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, as well as their families and other loved ones.
The MND Association’s Emma Butler, who is supporting the team with their fundraising, said: “We were saddened to hear that Stacy, a much-loved player at Areley Kings
“Ladies, had been diagnosed with MND and are thoughts are very much with her and her family at this time.
“What her friends and team mates are doing is just incredible and really demonstrates the strength of their team and their friendships.”
So far, more than £1,000 has been raised for the charity, with the football club looking to double that figure.
Visit www.justgiving.com/page/kat-webster-2 to donate.
