Playing football for life saving reasons
Kidney Wales Foundation is extremely proud to have its very own Football Team which is brilliantly run by long-time Kidney Wales supporters, Chris and Melanie Dark. Melanie was diagnosed with Kidney Failure when she was 13 years old and is currently having to dialyse every day. Nevertheless, this does not prevent the couple from working tirelessly to manage and support Kidney Wales F.C.
In 1989, the Darks held their first ever Charity Football Match followed
by a buffet and disco and donated all the money raised to Kidney Wales
Foundation. Chris' team which included
his family and friends, enjoyed the matches so much that in the early 1990s they
formed a 7 a-side team which played regularly in Penyrheol leisure
centre Gorseinon, calling themselves the kidneys. After a few years,
the team applied to Carmarthenshire County Council for a pitch of their
own. Ever since then the team (currently 17 men strong) play every
Saturday in the LTC Carmarthenshire League as Kidney Wales Football
Club.
The annual Charity Match still takes place. Indeed the last one, which took place in 2008, raised over 5,000 for kidney research and patient care. It's a great day out for everyone, reflects Chris. The wives of the players along with some members of the Ammanford Kidney Wales Committee provide the food for the after match buffet, so it doesn't cost a thing.
Interested in getting involved and supporting Kidney Wales F.C please contact Chris or Melanie Dark on 01269 832590.
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Footballers from West Wales are baring all for charity |
