📝 Club to raise awareness of Motor Neurone Disease on Boxing Day

Exeter City’s Boxing Day fixture at home to Portsmouth will be dedicated to the Darby Rimmer Foundation and the Motor Neurone Disease Association, which aims to raise awareness of the condition and funds research to cure the currently incurable disease.

Following former Grecian Marcus Stewart’s diagnosis of the disease earlier this year, it was the idea of ex-City boss, and Marcus’ teammate, Matt Taylor to dedicate a match-day to the cause and we will amplifying the Darby Rimmer Foundation and MNDA across our social media channels and at St James Park on match day.

While this event was planned weeks ago, it has taken on extra significance in recent days following the diagnosis of Peter Eveleigh, a well-loved and respected member of the Exeter City Community Trust.

Players from both sides will wear warm up t-shirts, while volunteers and ambassadors will be handing out posters which provides important information and the symptoms of the little-understood disease. For a small donation to the Darby Rimmer Foundation, wristbands and pin badges will also be on sale. We thank Portsmouth FC for their additional support.

In the build up to the match, there will be a series of interviews with Marcus himself, as well as a representative from the Motor Neurone Disease Association to discuss the ways in which Grecians can support the cause. Ahead of the game we will also be posting key information about MND to encourage both City and Portsmouth supporters to get behind the Darby Rimmer Foundation and Motor Neurone Disease Association.

“Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a neurological condition which affects the nerves in the brain and spinal cord. In some countries it’s known as ALS. MND affects a person’s arms and legs resulting in the need of a wheelchair whilst losing the ability to do basic things like wash, feed and dress yourself. It affects your ability to swallow food and drink which leads to the need of a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostom (PEG) feeding tube, to maintain nutritional intake as swallowing becomes impossible. Your voice is compromised and people are unable to talk meaning communicating is difficult. Breathing muscles are also affected, which leaves you relying on a ventilator to breathe. All these symptoms occur whilst your mind is unaffected.” (darbyrimmermnd.co.uk)

To support Marcus’ fundraising for Darby Rimmer, visit www.justgiving.com/team/teamstewart254

Pete Eveleigh’s friends and family are also campaigning to raise awareness of #MND and also help to raise funds for Pete and his family. Donations will help them with medical costs and support in the future. To find out how you can help, or to donate to Pete's campaign, visit Team Evo Support #TeamEvo

You casn also donate to both causes via bucket collections on match day, with 50% each of the takings being split between Marcus and Peter's campaigns.

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