GRIMSBY Town will nominate one of next season's games as a 'Sporting Memories' match to raise awareness of Alzheimer's and dementia.
The club has pledged its support to The Sporting Memories Network, which promotes and develops the use of sporting memories to improve the wellbeing of those suffering from the disease.
Among the clubs who are also involved in the initiative are Premier League side Everton and Huddersfield Town as well as the Warrington Wolves and Huddersfield Giants, from the Super League.
Lee Stephens, of the club's Sports and Education Trust, says the importance of raising awareness about the condition has been brought into focus following the death of former Town legend Kevin Moore.
As reported, Moore lost his long battle with Pick's Disease, a rare form of dementia when he passed away in April aged just 55.
Speaking to the Telegraph, Stephens said: "Sporting Memories came to our notice through the National Citizenship Scheme that we're involved in.
"The government are encouraging deliverers of the scheme to get on board with good causes and one of those is Alzheimer's and dementia and what the community can do to support people living with those terrible diseases.
"Kevin Moore's recent passing has brought the issues home to us all.
"It's got tangibility for everyone involved with the football club at the minute.
"It's a great cause to be involved with and we're looking forward to doing what we can to support it."
Stephens explained: "Both Huddersfield Town and Everton have been involved as well as the Huddersfield Giants and Warrington Wolves rugby league teams.
"They nominated one of their normal season games as a 'Sporting Memories match' in which fans were encouraged to come to the game in their old kits, and got a legend of the club to come out on the pitch at half-time and things like that.
"They also had various ways and means of recording people's memories of the club on the day as well, to celebrate the heritage of the club.
"Underpinning it all is the aim to raise people's awareness of Alzheimer's and dementia.
"It's something that is going off nationally and we're pleased to be getting on board."
Once Grimsby Town's fixtures for the 2013/14 season have been released, work will begin to select a fixture as the club's Sporting Memories match.
And Stephens explained that a range of activities, designed to celebrate the club's rich history, will be held on the day.
"A Sporting Memories match is a great way of building up a club's heritage, while supporting people and families who are affected by diseases like Alzheimer's and dementia," he continued.
"We're waiting for the fixture list to come out and then we're going to nominate one of our games next season.
"We'll have a parade of former players on the pitch and run incentives to encourage people to come down.
"We'll also be inviting fans to wear their favourite retro shirt as well as bringing along their old photos and recording their memories of watching Town in years gone by.
"Warrington Wolves' recent game against Hull was their Sporting Memory game and it was really popular.
"I think it will be something that will go down well here and we're looking forward to getting the ball rolling with it."
Find out more
For more information on Sporting Memories, visit www.sportingmemories.org
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