A football mad Helensburgh man who hasn’t let Multiple Sclerosis stop him playing the beautiful game is spearheading plans for a fundraising tournament.
Dumbarton FC walking football player Paul McGraw has organised the club’s annual competition this summer, with all proceeds raised being donated to the MS Society Scotland.
Paul was diagnosed with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) in 2007. Although the club is intended for people aged 50 and over, 45-year-old Paul was allowed to join because of his MS and has been a member now for almost five years.
The Helensburgh based software tester, said: “My in-laws actually said to me that there was a walking football team in the local area and to give it a try. It’s been good.
“I’m not too steady on my feet. I used to still be able to do a wee bit of ‘proper’ football, with a wee bit of running. But I can’t do that now, I fall over.
“In walking football there’s no running allowed, no jogging. When you get the ball you get three touches of it before you’ve either got to pass it or just leave it. The matches last an hour rather than 90 minutes.
“I’d say playing benefits both my physical and mental health. Sometimes with relapsing remitting MS you can be alright pottering around for the hour.
“Sometimes your MS just decides not to play and I have to say, sorry guys, I need to come off the pitch and sit down for a bit.
“Anyone can do it. Originally it was an over 50s walking football team. I said: ‘Any chance I can tag along? I’ve actually got MS and I’m not very steady on my feet.’ And they went ‘ah alright, no worries, on you come.’ And that was it. I think one of the guys is in his seventies. There’s a right mix of ages.
“People just come along and have a laugh, a joke, and a kick about and don’t take it too seriously. We are still competitive when we play, we don’t want to lose, it’s just not worth getting worked up about!”
The team is the official walking football team of Dumbarton FC and representatives from the club will be attending the event. The Kitchen Depot in Dumbarton is sponsoring the tournament.
Morna Simpkins, Director of MS Society Scotland, said: “We are extremely grateful to Paul and everyone at Dumbarton Walking Football Club for choosing to support MS Society Scotland. More than 15,000 people in Scotland are living with MS. It damages nerves in the body and makes it harder to do everyday things, like walk, talk, eat and think.
“Funds raised by our fantastic supporters, like Paul and his team mates, help us to continue supporting the MS community today as well as funding ground-breaking research into more and better treatments for everyone with MS in the future.”
Dumbarton Walking Football Club’s Walking Football Tournament takes place on the synthetic pitch at Argyll Park football pitches, Argyll Street, Alexandria, G83 0QJ from 12 to 4pm on Sunday July 2.
For more information visit www.justgiving.com/page/paul-mcgaw-1680703290049 or email dumbartonfcwalkingfootball150@gmail.com.
