A SPORTS fan from Warminster is organising a charity football match to raise money to fight motor neurone disease, after a close friend was diagnosed with the condition three years ago.

Gary Stanley, 32, of Swaledale Road, is holding the fundraiser at Warminster Football Club on August 26 and is hoping the community will come together to support the day, which will include the match as well as a barbecue, bar, mini games, raffle and tombola.

Mr Stanley’s close friend, Allan Gillespie, 61, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2015.

Since then Mr Stanley has taken part in several runs, including the Bournemouth 10k last year, and has now decided to host his own fundraiser.

He said: “I have been close friends with Allan for about 11 or 12 years now, after we worked together at Lyons Seafood.

“Before Allan was diagnosed with motor neurone disease the only person I knew about who had it was Stephen Hawking.

“The sad thing about the disease is that there is no cure, but hopefully there will be one day.

“There are so many variations of the disease, and all different variations affect people at different rates.

“Allan’s is a slow moving one, so he is deteriorating over time which is upsetting to watch. I try to make sure I see him regularly.

“I am planning to do six runs this year for the charity, the longest being 46 miles to Chandlers Ford where Allan now lives.

“My goal is to run the London Marathon 2019, and I recently found out that I had a place so I’m over the moon.

“I’ve played football since I was six and played in teams for about 20 years, until my first child was born.

“One of the teams is called Stanners 11 and is made up of people I have met and made friends with over my entire footballing career.

“The other is the Fox and Hounds, a Sunday League team from Warminster who I played for for about 10 years.”

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/g-stanley or text GSTA85 £5 to 70070.