We are delighted to announce the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) as this year’s charity for our dedicated Her Game Too match.

HGT Ambassador Jill Simmonds has known a number of people from the town who have fought this disease, including her cousin Keta Hansen.

Keta’s grandfather, William (Billy) Hughes, played for Pools for four years, way back in 1946-1950.

Keta passed away in 2019, aged just 47, leaving husband Kevin and daughters Hebe and Violet.

Her mother, Glynis, still lives in the town and is delighted to see her memory being kept alive by the huge amount of fundraising Kevin, Hebe and Violet have done for the MNDA in the 7 years since her passing.

Former Poolie Len Johnrose lived with this brutal disease in the public eye after choosing to announce his diagnosis in the summer of 2018.

Following that, he selflessly dedicated huge amounts of time to raising awareness.

He visited football Clubs across the country to deliver talks on MND and set up his Project 92 initiative to raise money for the MNDA from the footballing community.

Born in Preston, Lenny arrived at Hartlepool United in early 1992 and scored 16 goals in 82 games for Pools.

Len passed away in August 2022, five years after his diagnosis of MND.

And Poolies of a certain age will certainly remember Paul Mullen.

A devoted fan and servant, co-founder of successful fanzine Monkey Business and the Club’s former Media Manager.

Hartlepool United played a big part in Paul’s life, and he was a regular home and away for many years.

He took on the role of Press Officer at the Club under the ownership of IOR in 2000.

At the time of Paul’s passing, Neale Cooper was manager and told the local press, “We only heard the tragic news before the game on Saturday, and we’re really sad to find out that Paul had passed away. In the short time I did know him, it was clear he was a great guy.”

Just three of many people who have suffered this debilitating disease.

MND affects the nerves known as motor neurones.

These nerves are found in the brain and spinal cord, and they help tell your muscles what to do.

MND is life-shortening, and there is no cure.

Although the disease will progress, symptoms can be managed to help achieve the best possible quality of life.

MND affects up to 5,000 adults in the UK at any one time.

There is a 1 in 300 risk of getting MND across a lifetime.

It can affect adults of any age but is more likely to affect people over 50.

The MNDA have over 7,000 active volunteers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and around 275 paid staff, all dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by MND, now and in the future.

They are invaluable to patients and families in offering practical and financial support, care and personal support and funds vital research.

Their vision is a world free from MND. Realising this vision means investing more funds in research, ensuring that advances in understanding and treating MND are communicated as quickly and effectively as possible.

Jill has been working with Jenn Scribbins, MNDA North and East Yorkshire Relationship Fundraiser, to get a Just Giving page up and running and to gather a team of volunteers to attend the Her Game Too dedicated match for a bucket collection.

The funds raised will be used by the Cleveland branch of the MNDA so people in the local area have access to their amazing support when facing a future with MND.

Jenn told HGT, “The Cleveland Group would be delighted to be the Her Game Too chosen charity this year. What a lovely way to remember Jill’s cousin Keta and others affected and to raise awareness and funds in the fight against MND.”

To donate, please visit here.