Ex-players from Inverness City and Clachnacuddin raised £7500 for Sophie’s Story, supporting Batten Disease awareness.
The match raised at least £7500. Ex-players from two teams participated, Inverness City and Clachnacuddin. The money will help Sophie Mason. Sophie’s dad is Keith Mason.
Keith used to play for local teams and coached at Clachnacuddin. He left to care for his daughter.
Batten Disease affects very few children. In the UK, maybe thirty kids have it. It causes many problems, including vision loss and seizures. The disease has no cure currently.
It also causes stiff muscles. Affected people may develop breathing issues, and tube feeding might become necessary.
Shaun Kerr and Graeme Stewart, Keith’s former teammates, organized the game. They brought players together for a good reason.
Sophie was carried onto the field. Her parents, Keith and Lizzie, were there. About 500 people were there to watch, and everyone applauded.
Keith said he felt grateful. The weather was not great, but many people came out. He thanked everyone for their support.
Inverness City won the game, 3-1. But the score didn’t matter. Raising money was the main goal, and they hope to reach £9000 total.
The organizer, Shaun Kerr, felt proud. He said the turnout was incredible. The support truly impressed him, and people packed the venue.
More fundraising events are planned to help Sophie’s cause. A women’s football team will tackle a big challenge, climbing three peaks in one day. Another football team, Pentland United, helped too.
They raised over £5000. They did a 24-hour run for the cause.