A big-hearted football fan hopes to nets lots of cash at a charity match

Mark Nelis is holding a charity game at Battery Park on September 8 in aid of Ardgowan Hospice and to help a Greenock youngster's wheelchair fund.

This is Mark's fifth year of running benefit matches to help good causes.

He said: "This year we've chosen Ardgowan Hospice and a percentage will also go to help young Max McCorkindale, whose mum was in the year above me at school."

Max has a rare genetic condition and his family have set up an online appeal to buy a special wheelchair to help him get get around.

Mark, 34, and his friends play football at Notre Dame High every Wednesday night and the fundraising event is an extension of that.

He said: "We always choose charities close to our hearts and everyone has been affected by cancer or has a connection with Ardgowan Hospice in one way or another.

"We hope this helps them to continue their work."

Mark is also running a silent auction in the lead up to the game.

He said: "We've managed to get some really good prizes this year and hopefully we raise lots of money."

He wants to thank everyone who has helped to support the event, especially Craig Campbell, (pictured in the suit) owner of Wilkinsons Highland Wear, who is sponsoring the game.

Mark also wants to thank Inverclyde Leisure, Port Glasgow OBU football team for providing the strips, Welsh Walker for paying for the referee and the Argyll & Sutherland Bar for food, hospitality and fundraising facilities.

The following firms also donated auction prizes: Fenwick 47, Spinnaker Hotel, Tontine Hotel, The Cardwell, Greenock Golf Club, Skelmorlie Golf Club, Largs Golf Club, Wilkinsons Highland Wear, JL Entertainment, Rotunda Restaurant and Esquires Gents Barbers and if any other businesses want to donate prizes for the auction or bottles for the raffle they should contact Mark via Facebook.

The game kicks off at 4pm and there will also be facepainting for the kids and refreshments back at the Argyll afterwards.