West Lothian football team backed by MND researchers

A youth football side is teaming up with medical researchers to raise awareness of a devastating condition that affects the brain.

Tam Agnew's sister Sharron Wallace with team strip

The West Lothian team has dropped their usual business sponsorship on their shirts this season to highlight research into motor neuron disease (MND) and honour the legacy of Tam Agnew, who died of MND earlier this year, aged 45.

Scientists say the gesture by Blackburn United under-16s will help promote vital work being done to tackle the disease, which causes muscles to waste away and affects movement, speech and breathing.

The Blackburn United youth home strips will bear the logo of Edinburgh University’s pioneering Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research as a tribute to Tam and the work of his sister, Sharon Wallace, who has volunteered with the team over the last decade.

Researchers Brenda Murage (left) and Emily Beswick

The Euan MacDonald Centre is a network of researchers from across Scotland who are working to improve the lives of people with MND and find treatments that can slow, stop or reverse the condition.

Tam volunteered for the Euan MacDonald Centre as a member of the MND-SMART advisory group, working alongside researchers on the development of the clinical drugs trial, the biggest UK trial for MND in a generation.

The move to drop commercial sponsors tor two seasons is a surprise gift for Tam’s sister, Sharon, as she steps down as secretary after ten years of service to the club.

Sharon said: “I’m touched that we can honour Tam in this way as youth football in West Lothian has been such a big part of both of our lives. His dedication to helping research really shone through and he was driven by helping others with MND. This is a really special parting gift as I step down from my role with the team.”

Blackburn United team secretary, Alan Harris, added: “I’m grateful to the researchers who have come down to speak to the boys to explain the vital work being done by The Euan MacDonald Centre. The boys will now be able to wear their new home kits with a real understanding as well as pride.”

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