Footballers show support for Aaron
Fundraising match hits target
A Wishaw man recovering from an attempted suicide thanked the hundreds of people who turned out for a football festival held in his honour.
Aaron Morton’s family and friends organised the tournament to support the groups that saved him and are helping him recover.
The 25-year-old made it along to the games and close friend Danielle Findlay, who helped organise the event, said Aaron was over the moon with the amount of support he received.
She said: “It was an absolutely brilliant day.
“Aaron was there, which was the best thing.
“He was not long out of the hospital and he was absolutely loving it. He didn’t want to go home.
“He had an amazing time and was able to see all the support he has around him.
“Whenever I tried to talk to him he was just so interested in the football. He’s absolutely football daft and used to play four times a week before he was in the hospital.
“He’s in a wheelchair now but he’s improving all the time.
“I’m just so happy he’s come so far already and is doing so well.
“He really wants to thank everyone who came along and donated on the day.”
The charity matches raised £4360, of which £2000 went to Chris’s House and £1000 went to University Hospital Wishaw’s ACCU ward.
The remaining funds will support Aaron through his recovery.
Aaron surprised NHS staff with his amazing rehabilitation so far when he presented the groups with their share of the money raised.
Danielle said: “We wanted to contribute to the ward that not only helped Aaron in his recovery but also offered so much support to his friends and family throughout out his stay in the he hospital.
“A a ron was as happy to see all the he NHS staff again n and all the staff ff were absolutely ecstatic to see him. “Because they’re in the critical ward they don’t always get to see people recovering. “They were all so happy to see him and shocked at how fast he’s improving. They were all amazed he can stand again already. “The remainder of the funds are being us used to support Aaron th through his recovery an and any adaptions ne necessary to help him as he moves forward.” D Danielle said: “We’re talk talking about doing it agai again next year. “W “We’ll maybe do it in the summer s when it’s warm warmer, though, as it was fr freezing. It gives him somet something to look forward to and aim for as well.”