FORMER players from Inverness football clubs will take part in a special match to raise money for a footballer and coach’s daughter who has a rare degenerative genetic disorder.
Keith Mason pictured with his daughter Sophie.
Ex-footballers from Clachnacuddin and Inverness City are set to pull on their boots to play a match next month to raise money in aid of Sophie Mason, who has Batten’s Disease.
Sophie, is the daughter of Keith Mason, who played for Clachnacuddin, Inverness City and Nairn St Ninian during his career.
Mason was also a coach of Clachnacuddin this season, but last month decided to step away from the club after Sophie’s diagnosis.
The Batten Disease Family Association (BDFA) estimate that between one and three children are diagnosed with an infantile form (CLN-1) of the disease each year in the UK, meaning there are probably between 15 and 30 affected children in the UK currently.
There is no treatment for the disease, which causes progressive vision loss, seizures, disturbed sleep, stiff muscles, myoclonic jerks, loss of motor function, loss of the ability to swallow resulting in tube feeding and increased risk of respiratory infection.
Former Clachnacuddin player Shaun Kerr, who played with Mason at Inverness and Amateur District club Avoch, as well as North Caledonian League club Invergordon, is organising the match.
Shaun Kerr.
The game is scheduled to take place at Canal Park in Inverness on Sunday, February 23 at 5.30pm.
It is planned that Sophie will be the mascot at the match.
Kerr (38) said everyone wants to show their support for Sophie and her family.
“It is just heartbreaking what Keith’s family are going through,” said Kerr.
“We all know the tough time they are facing. We wanted to show our love and support to their family.
“Football is a massive part of Keith’s life and it is a sport which brings everyone together. Everybody that I have asked is desperate to get involved.
“Not just to raise money, but to help spread awareness, as it is a condition not many people know about.
“We just want to show support for the family.”
Former Inverness City player Graham Stewart is also involved in organising the match .
He has had replies from over 40 former Inverness City players who want to take part in the game.
Kerr says a large number of former Clachnacuddin players are also keen to get involved.
He said: “When Graham said he had over 40 players interested, we decided to go and arrange the match.
“I put a chat out to the ex-Clach players I played with and everyone is desperate to get involved.
“Highland Rugby Club have been excellent as they will not charge us for using the pitch.
“We are also organising commemorative football shirts for the match so it has been really good.”
Inverness Caledonian Thistle Women are also holding a fundraising event as their head coach Karen Mason is Sophie’s auntie. A group of current and former Caley Thistle women’s players are taking on the Three Peaks Challenge in May.
The group will aim to climb the highest peaks in Scotland, England and Wales all within 24 hours.
Karen Mason with her niece Sophie.
Kerr also revealed Avoch FC, who Mason played for and helped win the Inverness and District Premiership last season, are planning to hold a special fundraiser later this year too.
Donations and raffle tickets will also be sold at the match as organisers look to raise as much money as possible for the cause.