Action for ME’s landmark month on the front of Notts County’s shirts begins today as the Magpies welcome Forest Green Rovers to Meadow Lane.
It will be the first time a charity has sponsored the club and it’s sure to be a very proud day for everyone involved, especially Notts fan and sponsor Martyn Kelk.
Martyn’s daughter, Alice, who now works at the club as fan engagement executive, was diagnosed with the condition when she was 14, leading the family to develop a close relationship with Action for ME.
And Martyn, whose former company Premier Electrical Services sponsored the club’s shirts last season, decided to donate a month’s sponsorship to the charity this time around.
“Notts County has always been a huge part of my life,” said Alice. “It’s something my dad and I share.
“He brought me to my first game when I was three and I’ve had a season ticket ever since.
“To now work at the club and have their support is amazing.
“Saturday’s game is going to be quite emotional for me. My parents will be there, along with the executives from Action for ME, and seeing the lads wearing the logo will be special.”
Alice (right) with Sonya Chowdhury, Action for ME CEO
Commercial director Amanda Fletcher welcomed Alice into her team at Meadow Lane a year ago and is very proud to have helped make this sponsorship happen.
“Alice used to come to Notts County even when she was suffering and it gave her a lift,” said Amanda. “That’s what this club’s all about and to see her now working here within the commercial team is very poignant.
“After Martyn had proposed the idea we contacted Action for ME straightaway and since then it’s taken off.
“We feel the EFL’s new partnership with Mind is significant, too, given that so many people with ME. sadly also experience depression and anxiety as a result of the huge challenges it brings.”
There are around 250,000 people living with ME in the UK and roughly 19,000 of them are in the East Midlands.
Sonya Chowdhury, Action or ME’s CEO, is very excited by this unique opportunity to increase awareness in the region.
“This means a huge amount to us,” she said. “As a small charity it’s not something we would be able to afford, so to have an opportunity to raise our profile in this way will be phenomenal. We are absolutely blessed.
“The club are offering us lots of opportunities to raise money to support individuals affected and to see ME on players’ shirts is going to be huge.”
Want to help spread the word further? Visit the club shop to have Action for ME’s sponsor logo applied to your 2018-19 home or away shirts free of charge.