Football match raises £1,000 for dementia charity Lost Chord.

THE worlds of sport and the arts came together as two South Yorkshire football teams supported leading dementia charity Lost Chord.

Denaby Main JFC met Denaby United for a match in memory of well known local footballer John Hurley, who died last year at the 89.

The former semi professional player was diagnosed with dementia in his later years and was a regular visitor to Ivanhoe Centre Memory Cafe in Conisbrough, where he first heard the musicians of Lost Chord, the charity that provides vital interactive musical experiences for people living with dementia.

“Discovering Lost Chord meant such a lot to my dad,” said John’s son Andrew, who organised the football match and raised £1,000.

“He loved the music and my mum says he would be up on his feet to dance as soon as the musicians started.

“This was actually a league match but we were given permission to use it as a charity event and it was so successful that now we are aiming to make it an annual event.”

Lost Chord Chief Executive Helena Muller commented: “It’s always wonderful to hear from families like the Hurley’s, whose lives have been touched by the work we do at Lost Chord.

“Their personal experience of the positive impact music has on the lives of people living with dementia makes their continued support very special to us.”

To find out more about the work of Lost Chord and how to get involved call 01709 811160