x

Stewart: Town Have Been Great - Ipswich Town News

Blues legend Marcus Stewart has praised the club for the way in which they have helped the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation, the charity backed by the former striker.

Having already raised funds by selling his famous gloves last year, Town are now giving £2 from every home shirt sold during July, Stewart having announced his MND diagnosis in September last year.

On Monday, the club revealed that they had already raised £11,000 with the new kits having become the fastest selling in the Blues’ history.

"I don’t think the club have sold that many new kits on the first day ever,” Stewart told the PA news agency.

"Ipswich have been great. We haven’t approached them about getting these things to happen, it is them who have come up with the ideas.

"They have been very proactive in helping out the charity in a big way and it all creates awareness as well.”

Stewart isn’t the only former professional sportsman raising cash and awareness of the condition. Former England and Leeds Rhinos rugby league player Rob Burrow also has the disease and his one-time teammate and friend Kevin Sinfield has taken part in a number of events over the last three years, including running seven marathons in seven days.

Town's fundraising has also been praised by former England women's captain Steph Houghton, whose husband, former Liverpool and Bradford full-back Stephen, set up the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation following his own diagnosis in 2018.

"I am lucky. At the moment, I still have got my voice, still have got my mobility,” Stewart, 50, added.

"I have a little bit of a profile, not as big as Kev and Rob, but I am there to be the voice of the people who haven’t got a profile, who haven’t got mobility and a voice because of the disease.

"As long as I am well and good — I am still exercising and able to work — I am going to do my best to get out there and be a voice for the other people while I can, like Kev and a lot of people are doing for MND, the silent ones who are doing their bit in their own time.”

What to read next:

Ronaldo Sees Red For O'Shea Elbow as Ireland Pull Off Famous Win
Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off for elbowing Town skipper Dara O’Shea as a Republic of Ireland side also featuring Jack Taylor and Chieo Ogbene beat Portugal 2-0 at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin to keep their World Cup qualification hopes alive, ex-Blues loanee Troy Parrott netting both goals in the first half.
[Podcast] Life's a Pitch TV - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Life's a Pitch TV team is now available.
Wearing Named in Scotland U23s Squad
Ipswich Town Women’s defender Megan Wearing has been named in the Scotland U23s squad for their European Friendly Tournament game in Belgium later this month.
Burley Named Patron of Cancer Support Suffolk
Former Blues manager and right-back George Burley has been named the new patron of Cancer Support Suffolk.
Big Night For Town Irish Trio
Dara O’Shea, Jack Taylor and Chieo Ogbene, whose Republic of Ireland side realistically needs at least a point at home to Portugal in their penultimate World Cup qualifier, are among five Town players who could add to their international caps today.
Morsy Training With Wolves
Former Town skipper Sam Morsy is reported to be training with Wolves’ U21s squad following his departure from Kuwait SC in September.
Taylor: No-Brainer to Sign New Deal
Town midfielder Jack Taylor expressed his desire to continue his journey with the Blues after penning a new contract at Portman Road last month.
[Podcast] The Naked Football Show - Listen Again
This week's Naked Football Show is now available online.
Swansea Sack Sheehan
Swansea City have sacked head coach Alan Sheehan following their 4-1 defeat to the Blues at the Swansea.com Stadium on Saturday.
Williamson and Carr Added to Scotland U21s Squad
Blues keeper Woody Williamson and midfielder Ryan Carr have been added to the Scotland U21s squad for their European Championship qualifiers against Gibraltar and Bulgaria.