Football penalty shoot-out to raise funds for MND

We’ve had the TV debates and now Better Together and Yes Scotland are uniting to take the debate to the football pitch with a penalty shoot-out to raise awareness of and fund a cure for Motor Neurone Disease.

“Scotland United Against MND” will see Yes Scotland and Better Together’s finest football talent taking each other on from the penalty spot on Wednesday 3 September 2014 at Ainslie Park Stadium in Edinburgh.  The event will be invitation only.

The shoot-out is being held to help raise awareness and money to fund a cure for Motor Neurone Disease.  Better Together’s director of research, Gordon Aikman, was diagnosed with the condition just over 12 weeks ago and has already raised over £60,000 and launched gordonsfightback.com – a campaign to fund a cure and fight for better care for MND sufferers.

Trade Union “Community” have also thrown their weight behind the shoot-out by supplying the teams’ strips.

Better Together research director and MND sufferer, Gordon Aikman, said:

“This is the penalty shoot-out Scotland has been waiting for! It’s amazing that Better Together and Yes Scotland have put aside their differences and come together to do this. It shows that no matter what your politics, Scotland is united against MND.

“MND is a death sentence for me, but if we keep raising money we can find a cure for future generations.”

Better Together’s Campaign Director Blair McDougall, said: “This is a cause that is close to our hearts at Better Together. Gordon is a committed and talented campaigner, but most of all he is a great friend to all the team and so many people across politics.

“Blair and I clearly have different visions for Scotland’s future, but we both have the same vision to stop MND and the suffering it causes once and for all.”

Yes Scotland Campaign Director Blair Jenkins, said: “Many of us at Yes Scotland know Gordon and his diagnosis shocked us all. His determination and courage in fighting back against MND is inspirational.

“Both Blair and I are united in helping fund a cure for this terrible disease.  No matter what the referendum result, Scotland should stand united against MND.”

Iain McWhirter, Head of Fundraising and Volunteering at MND Scotland, said: “I’d like to thank both Yes Scotland and Better Together for coming together to support efforts to fund a cure for MND.

“Whatever your view on the referendum this is a cause that needs your support.  Scotland can and should unite to fund a cure for MND.”

Assistant General Secretary of Community Trade Union, John Park, said:

“It’s great to be involved in Scotland United Against MND.  The penalty shoot-out will be good fun, but most importantly it will raise awareness that we can and we must stop this terrible disease in its tracks. It’s really positive to see both sides putting aside their political differences to focus on something that unites us all; the commitment to fund a cure for MND.”