Best 'privileged' to help ex-player with MND game

TV personality Calum Best said it would be a privilege to take part in a celebrity football match in aid of a former player and mother-of-two battling motor neurone disease (MND).

Stacey Whittle from Worcester, a former midfielder for West Bromwich Albion, was diagnosed last year.

She has been raising awareness of the debilitating condition and earlier this year announced a charity fundraising match would take place at Sixways in Worcester on 27 June.

Speaking to BBC Hereford and Worcester, Best, son of football legend George, said knowing that Whittle loved football and had played it so much, but was now in a wheelchair was "tough".

"The least that we can do is come together, raise awareness, raise funds and as she has so rightly said, create some positive memories for her boys as well, as I'm sure they're football-mad," he added.

The event has been organised by Sellebrity Soccer and the Matt Gallagher Foundation, with money going to MND charities.

Whittle's husband Barry said the game meant "something really special" to her and was something to look forward to.

Best said the other players were lucky to take part in a good cause while "doing what we love as well".

"We all love the day out and come down and play football together and when you can tie the two together for raising awareness for Stacey, for MND, for the Matt Gallagher Foundation, we're just so privileged to be able to do it - the least we can do is come and take part."

He added: "Stacey should feel very proud in knowing that it's a great day for everyone..."

Whittle, 38, has previously said her symptoms started with "a bit of neck pain" before she could no longer "lift her arms above her head".

Husband Barry said on Thursday her condition never stops progressing and she described it as "torture" and she was now completely immobile, so having things to look forward to was really important.

"It's massive," he said of the game.

"[Football has] been a part of Stacey's life every weekend since she was about eight.

"Every weekend was focused on the match and obviously there's training during the week.

"It means something really special to Stace.

"She's still got that football connection and the added purpose of raising awareness and much-needed funds is just a bonus."

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