ALS article I found on Facebook GOING THE EXTRA MILES FOR FORMER SUNDERLAND LYNCHPIN JOHN MacPHAIL AS FAMILY, FRIENDS AND THE FOOTBALL COMMUNITY RALLY TO HELP THE Sunderland Former Player Association is backing member John MacPhail and his family as the popular former centre-back fights to recover from a fall at his home on Teesside. It is 10 months since John fell on the stairs and suffered head injuries leading to a bleed on his brain – resulting in brain surgery followed by months of medical care and rehabilitation. Now John’s family led by wife, Diane, and daughters Rebecca, Charlotte and Kelky, are fundraising to adapt the family home in Ingleby Barwick in the hope he can return home where his continuing care can continue in a single-storey area. His injuries mean he may not walk again. “It has always been our primary aim to get Dad home to give him the ongoing care he needs and wants,” said John's eldest daughter, Rebecca Hutcheson. “What that requires is for us to build a purpose-built area for Dad to sleep and live in, catering for his mobility needs and a wet room. Of course, it comes at a cost. “So we are so grateful to everyone who has been helping us with fundraising, it is a massive boost to know people care. Dad has many friends all over the country from his football career, not to mention his golfing skills. However the comments and donations from the fans have been truly unbelievable. Reading the short comments people have made show us how much people love him and show the type of man he is and what he stands for. “Their support will help us both financially and psychologically to know John is in their thoughts. One of the initiatives we started - after a friend of mine, Gail Robertson, and I had a chat - was 'MacPhail's Miles' - sponsored walks in John's name. The aim is to walk 100 miles during October. It has really taken off and has so far raised £18,000.” SFPA chairman Micky Horswill said: “Our thoughts are with John and his family, he’s a great lad and was a great servant to the club. We are looking to put on a fundraising golf day next year and we are talking to the club to see if they can offer some before the end of the season.” John, 66, was a key figure in Dennis Smith’s Sunderland side of the late ‘80s and made 130 appearances, scoring 22 goals – many of them penalties – before moving on to Hartlepool. He skippered the Roker side in the second and third tiers and also made one appearance in the top flight after winning promotion in 1990. His trademark extra-short shorts and committed style made him a cult hero on Wearside. He had earlier played for Dundee, Sheffield United, York and Bristol City. And the football family is clearly pulling together. Rebecca said: “The fundraising is going well. York City’s past players’ group had a golfing fundraiser which was very successful. “Dad fell on December 21 and we have had lots of highs and lows since then. He fell when walking up the stairs on to his head. That caused brain bleeding and he has had several operations. He was initially treated at James Cook University Hospital on Teesside “He spent four months there - he was in an induced coma for some of that time. When he was medically well enough he then transferred to The Bridge neurological care facility in Middlesbrough. “Just this week he has moved on to Watergate Park, north of Newcastle, which is an important facility for his assessment. It will tell us where he is with his capabilities - auditory, sight, mobility...just what his capabilities are. “He will probably be there for four to six months. This will give us time to start the process of building an extension to get him back home to his friends and family.” Rebecca says fundraisers have also been organised in Wynyard and Dundee next month as well as a race night at his local pub in Ingleby Barwick in December. They are hoping to crack the £20,000 mark in the next few days. Those who would like to support John can donate to his Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/johnmcphail
Just had an email to say the family have now exceeded their £20,000 target and thanked those who have supported them. Good to hear.
An update on the big man's health on Facebook JOHN MACPHAIL LATEST: BEST CHRISTMAS NEWS FROM HIS FAMILY! JOHN MACPHAIL, who fell on the stairs at his home a year ago and sustained serious head injuries, is now making good progress, his family tell us. We recently gave an update on SFPA stalwart John's long road to recovery with the family and friends fundraising to help adapt his home in Ingleby Barwick to provide him with single storey living space. Former Sunderland skipper John has had extensive treatment and rehabilitation during the past year, including brain surgery, but his latest rehab regime in Northumberland is providing a boost for John and his family. They tell us: "John is tracheostomy-free and is coping well. This has been a huge step forward in John's progress and all is going to plan. "Currently he is loving all the football on TV and is enjoying all the (World Cup) games. John celebrated his birthday today - December 7 - with his family at Walkergate Park - such a brilliant day and he even managed to open some presents. "Next birthday he will be back at home with us all - the extension works have started at the house and after Christmas it will be all on hands on decks xx." We wish John and his family all the best for Christmas and fingers crossed, his return home in the New Year!
