By Mal Butler
A charity football match, to support a campaign inspired by three-year-old youngster, Teddy Ward, and his fight against a rare, life-limiting mitochondrial disease, raised more than £4,000 on Saturday.
IW Ladies, including players from Shanklin’s Hants Division One-winning squad, took on the Teddy XI, which featured IW Rugby’s Dan Ward, and Shanklin Bowls’ Travis Meller. Team Teddy won 6-3 at Shanklin FC’s County Ground.
Born in June 2022, Teddy was just 18 months old when he has diagnosed with an extremely rare, life‑limiting mitochondrial disease. The condition is so uncommon that Teddy is believed to be the only child in the UK currently living with it, and one of 55 in the world.
Doctors have warned that Teddy’s heart and energy levels will always need close monitoring, and there is currently no cure. The money raised will go to The Lily Foundation, with Lily’s mother and the charity’s CEO, Liz Curtis, attending.
Teddy’s mother, Jess, said: “Team Teddy’s charity football match quickly became an event we will never forget.
“The day showcased exactly what community is about, the bringing together of our small Island for something so important to many families like ours, to help fight for research and, hopefully, one day, a cure for mitochondrial disease.
“The total raised so far is over £4,000 for The Lily Foundation – an incredible amount – but it was more than the money raised, it was about raising awareness, and I think we did just that! We are definitely thinking of making it an annual event and we are grateful to our headline sponsors, The Waterfront Bar & Restaurant, Totland Bay, and their landlords, Adrian and Lorna Bolton.”
Dan Ward, Teddy’s father, said: “Thanks to the Waterfront, Shanklin FC, and every single spectator who came along, supported the day, and created such an unforgettable atmosphere. The support and generosity shown meant the world to us.”
Isle of Wight Observer