Family on campaign to raise cash for a new wheelchair for Marc

15 year-old Marc Bigger’s family (Marc pictured right) hope to raise £8,500 to pay for the made-to-measure chair so he can continue to play football.

The St Pius X College student already trains each week with top powerchair football team Belfast Trail Blazers, and has taken part in matches against teams across Ireland.

Already generous members of the sporting and business community have dug deep to help Marc, who suffers from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, with one local manufacturing firm donating cash normally used to buy customers Christmas presents.

Marc’s brother Stephen has organised a charity football match, disco and raffle to raise funds for the chair, which will be made to Marc’s requirements.

“I don’t think I could put in words the difference this chair would make to him,” Stephen told the MAIL.

“We can play any sport and nothing holds us back, or hinders us from taking part, but for Marc it’s not the same. We want to be able to get this special chair for him which will allow him to play football more easily and will just make the world of difference for him.”

“Over the last eight to ten months he has been training every week and taking part in power chair football.

Stephen added: “Last week he played with his team Belfast Trail Blazers against a team from Limerick. Next week he is off to Dublin to play. So he is doing great but this chair, which would be made to Mark’s specifications, would help him so much more mobility wise in playing.”

He continued: “The help and support that we have already received from the community has been phenomenal. There have been so many kind and generous donations from many people including businesses.

“At the minute e are trying to gear up prizes fro the raffle, which will take place in Moyola Club House after the charity match on Saturday, February 4th. We hope that the support we have been receiving continues and we can reach our target for Marc. “

Last month, kind hearted staff at Essential Designs (NI) , a manufacturing firm based in Portglenone, donated £300 towards the family’s campaign. The cash was in lieu of presents usually given out to customers each year.

Speaking about the donation, Essential Designs Managing Director Oliver Higgins told the MAIL: “We are very pleased to present this cheque to Marc which is hopefully only the start of what he will receive in order to reach his target of £8500. We would normally give out presents to our customers for the work we received throughout the year but this year we have decided that the money would be more beneficial to Marc’s needs.

“Marc and his family are running a charity football event in February and we hope that everyone in the community can get involved to help Marc raise the £8500 needed to buy his new wheelchair.”

The charity football match will take place on Saturday, February 4th at 5.30pm at Moyola Football Club, Castledawson. A raffle and disco will take place afterwards. Everyone is welcome to attend. For more information or to donate to the raffle or towards the campaign, contact Stephen on 07842992170.