Community football and music fundraiser for local boy

A fundraising football match with live music, food and stalls will take place next month to raise funds for home adaptations for a local boy with an extremely rare condition.

The free event will take place on Sunday 19th April at Westbury United FC and will raise money for Drae Mead-Strong, a 3-year-old boy from Westbury who has two variants of TBCK-related ID syndrome, a rare, life-limiting condition.

‘Drae’s Team’ will play against a team of ex-professional footballers, including players from Bristol City, Bristol Rovers and Cheltenham Town.

The event will also feature live music and a disco after the match, an auction, stalls, a bouncy castle and much more.

“People can pay £30 to play 45 minutes, they have to be 15 years or over and all kit will be provided as long as players bring their own football boots,” said Rachel, Drae’s mum.

Drae’s condition affects his brain and nervous system and means he cannot sit, walk or support his head. He also lives with epilepsy, scoliosis and severe muscle weakness. He recently spent three weeks in hospital after going into respiratory failure and having to be incubated.

All money raised will go towards funding home adaptations for him.

“Drae’s entitled to £30,000 from the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) but his bill has just come in at £70,000 to £90,000 and we’ve been told we’ve got to fundraise the rest for home adaptations and equipment he needs to stay at home safely,” said Rachel.

There are around 10 spots left on Drae’s team for anyone wishing to play in the match.

To book a place on the team, text Rachel on 07528 114100, email her at Rachelmead27@hotmail.com, or visit her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/rachel.mead.351.

Gates will open at 10.30am, with kick-off at 11.30am. The event is free to attend, with volunteers collecting donations.