Marc meets his inspirations

PICTURE perfect: this shot of Chadderton Park FC’s Leo Stott and Harvey Hassall has won a national competition

SIX months ago assistant headteacher Marc Edwards spotted an image on Twitter that would change his perspective on life forever.

The picture was the now-famous one of three-year-old cerebral palsy sufferers Leo Stott and Harvey Hassell playing football in their walking frames at Chadderton Park FC.

The picture of the two boys won a national competition for its photographer, club secretary Craig Simpson, and is now in an exhibition at Nikon HQ in London.

The image prompted Marc to contact Cerebral Palsy Sport to see how he could help. As secretary of his nearby Saltney Town football club, he has set up his own cerebral palsy team, and he ran the London Marathon, raising over £2,600 - £2,300 for Cerebral Palsy Sport and the rest for the Chadderton side.

Marc, who teaches at Flint High School in North Wales, has now met the inspirational Oldham youngsters and handed over the donation.

The Chadderton club welcomed Marc with open arms to watch the team’s two-hour session. Not only did he get to meet Leo and Harvey — who now walk without their frames following operations — but also brought a Flintshire family with a 14-year-old son with cerebral palsy, to join in.

“I had the most amazing day in Chadderton,” said Marc. “To experience the great work they are doing first hand was really special. The welcome I received was really touching.

“But the real highlight for me was to finally meet Leo and Harvey . They are two very special boys and I was delighted to see that they had both started to walk without their frames. Speaking to the boys’ parents helped me to understand how much difference such opportunities have made to their lives.”