Football fundraisers travel the UK to raise money for Alzheimer's Society

Gary has a personal connection as his grandmother died from the effects of Alzheimer's and his mother, who is now retired, spent her entire working life as a carer with the social services team in Hull looking after many people with the disease.

Gary's fundraising project 'Welfare to Wembley' is linked to the FA Vase competition, a national football competition organised by the Football Association for lower ranked semi-professional clubs, the final being played at Wembley Stadium.

Gary said,

I have written a book about the now defunct Rawmarsh Welfare FC who were in the Yorkshire League and competed in the FA Vase in the 1970's. The plan is to attend each round of the FA Vase at the home ground of a competing club nearest to the old Welfare Ground in Rawmarsh, Rotherham.

With the consent of the home team we will hold a collection at the match dividing the money between the home team and the Alzheimer's Society charity.

We will attend each round beginning on September 5 at the Glasshoughton Welfare v Tadcaster Albion first Qualifying Round game, eventually finishing at Wembley Stadium for the final on May 9 2010. '

The game last Saturday raised an impressive £253.25 from a crowd of just 77 people.

Gary said,

'As more of my colleagues have become increasingly aware of the charity, and as they are also avid football fans, I decided to link football and the charity to create the 'From Welfare to Wembley' event.

They have now joined me on the road 'From Welfare to Wembley' and are actively involved collecting at the games and donating their own petrol money each round to the charity.'

To find out more visit Welfare to Wembley's Facebook page