The Ladbrokes Northwest Football Awards is delighted to announce its support of the Darby Rimmer Foundation in 2019.

Former Liverpool, Rochdale and Bolton Wanderers footballer, Stephen Darby, together with his close friend and former British Forces veteran, Chris Rimmer, set up the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation after Stephen’s sudden retirement from football in September last year, on being diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND), aged just 29.

Stephen and Chris have created the Foundation to raise awareness of MND, to fund and assist research into the illness with the quest of finding a cure, to raise funds and offer grants to those with MND, as well as creating a network to help provide information and emotional support for those diagnosed with the disease.

MND is a degenerative condition that affects how nerves in the brain and spinal cord function. There is currently no cure.

Stephen, married to Manchester City Women and England captain Steph Houghton, said, “Chris and I are honoured that the Ladbrokes Northwest Football Awards has chosen the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation as its charity partner for this year’s event. I was lucky enough to play for three North West teams (Liverpool, Rochdale and Bolton Wanderers) in my career and both Chris I reside in the North West. We look forward to raising awareness of Motor Neurone Disease in order to assist and support others with the disease and in our quest to find a cure”.

Laura Wolfe from the Ladbrokes Northwest Football Awards said, “Motor Neurone Disease is life-shortening and there is no cure. On hearing Stephen’s story, we felt very strongly that we wanted to support Stephen and Chris at this year’s Awards. Stephen has contributed so much to clubs and fans in our region and it seemed only right that as a community, the North West football family did something to give back and help Stephen, Chris and the many others they are striving to help.”

More information about the Darby Rimmer Foundation at http://www.darbyrimmermnd.co.uk