Eagles coach Arthur Smith is taking part in a charity football match on Sunday 3rd June in aid of the Brooke’s Dream charity foundation. Brooke’s Dream was set up to aid 7 year old twin Brooke Ramsay who was born 3 months prematurely and survived early birth complications such as pneumonia, chronic lung disease, and brain bleeds and came home after 13 weeks Hospital before being diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at the age of 2.

Since then Brooke has had to wear splints to aid walking and undergo daily physio. This obviously has stopped Brooke from undertaking the normal physical activities of a 7year old. To help her condition Brooke has undergone botox treatment that only temporarily work and sometimes does not work at all but that could all change as a new surgery which is recognised as 'the way forward' by the UK's National Institute for Clinincal Excellence (NICE) is now available in the UK.

Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) is a procedure which permanently eliminates high muscle tone by cutting damaged nerves in the spine leaving the healthy ones to carry the correct signals from the brain to the muscles giving Brooke the opportunity to walk on her flat feet with much improved balance and co-ordination and ultimately allow her to take part in most, if not all, activities her sister and friends do. The surgery has recently has been carried out at Frenchay Hospital in Bristol, by Dr Aquilina for children over 6 years old. Dr Aquilina worked with Dr Park in America, who first started the treatment, and studied his techniques. The cost for the procedure in Bristol has been set by the hospital at around £24,000 sterling. This figure includes 3 weeks post-operative care with physio afterwards, however this is only the start of the aftercare required. The after care that Brooke will require post surgery will be 2 - 3 years of intensive physio. It is estimates that this will cost somewhere in the region of £40,000 including the purchase of some essential equipment

The charity match is due to be played at Laing’s Park in Brooke’s hometown of Carnoustie with some ex professional players also due to take part.

If you wish to donate to Arthur and this worth cause, Arthur can be found at our Market Muir HQ on Tuesday evenings.