Tarbert rallies to help brave toddler Mitchell
Thousands raised to help with Aussie tot’s treatment
A FUND to help the Australian-born son of a former Tarbert footballer who is battling leukaemia has topped £16,000.
At the start of August Alex Johnstone (AJ), a former Dookers’ manager who moved down under six years ago, received the devastating news that his son Mitchell, two, has acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and will require at least eight months of treatment.
Sister-in-law Fiona, 49, and brother Iain, cajouled AJ’s Tarbert family into action.
They set up a Just-Giving page to raise funds to help their Aussie relations during the prolonged treatment.
Fundraising and events, bringing together many Tarbert people, both friends and strangers, helped smash Fiona’s original £1,000 target.
Fiona said: ‘AJ left Tarbert to find a new way of life in Australia. Little did we know he was going to find much more, to meet and marry Mary. He was over 40.
‘We were all delighted in September 2014 when Mitchell was born and in June this year was followed by Archer, aka Archie.
‘Family life was busy, fun and tiring with a newborn and toddler. Sadly, at the beginning of August their world was shattered.’
Online funding has raised £8,125 in two months and a recent coffee morning, in the Templars, collected £754.60. Supporters wore T-shirts printed with Mitchell’s picture and donated by Robbie Williamson. A penalty shoot-out competition made £700 and AJ’s Dookers mates’ benefit match, last Saturday, brought in £350.
Sara and her Frigate team raised £1,509 and a Cornerhouse quiz run by Martin and Alison further boosted the total in one week to £6,272.
Many people donated or gave raffle prizes, all the local clubs, bowling club, soccer centre, football club, local shopkeepers and businesses.
Mitchell will need hospital visits twice a week and more sur- gery. The treatment will mean his immune system will be very low and any infection will need to be treated quickly. The family need to stay next to the hospital the whole time.
Difference
Fiona said that the family’s living and travel costs in the next year will be very high and she hopes the fundraising will make a difference.
Fiona added: ‘AJ and Mary would dearly love to thank everyone in person but if the
Squeak could thank people for them and also mention how much they appreciate it they would be really pleased.
‘They have had quite a battle over the last few weeks and need all the support.’
PLAYERS of the past, present and future gathered at Cil Andreis to raise funds for a two-year-old battling leukaemia in Australia.
Mitchell Johnstone, who has been diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, is the son of Dookers’ legend Alex Johnstone (AJ).
Campaign
The Johnstone family in Tarbert started a fundraising campaign to help AJ and his family with financial support through this very difficult time, which with AJ’s Dookers’ history led to two football events.
Tarbert footballers had a penalty kick competition which raised £700 and saw club captain Fraser Talbot take the trophy as penalty cup king.
In addition, a game between the over 30s versus under 30s was hotly contested and raised £350.
It was an entertaining game with both sets of players desperate to get the bragging rites in the charity fundraiser.
The over 30s took the game to their younger opponents from the first whistle with David Ronald tormentor in chief.
The oldies were awarded two stone wall penalties when Iain Mackinnon then Ronald were sent crashing to the turf, Ronald making no mistake with both kicks giving keeper Selfridge no chance.
This sparked the youngsters into life and they pulled one back when Iain Johnstone crossed from the left for Nikki McDougall to volley past Hawthorn. Half time 2-1.
The youngsters started the second half in a more positive frame of mind and took the game to their older opponents. It was no surprise when they equalised with a bullet header from McDougall for his second of the afternoon.
Looping header
He got his hat trick five minutes later when his looping header dipped in under the bar.
The oldies weren’t finished yet and perse- verance from MacKinnon paid off when he scored with a terrific left foot shot from the edge of the box.
Towards the end the youngsters piled on the pressure but the experienced Dookers rearguard held firm. Full time 3-3.
Penalty kicks were to decide the outcome and it was the youngsters who came out on top by 5 goals to 4.