Two friends will go the extra mile in support of Penzance dentist Dean Mooney on his journey with motor neurone disease – and want people across Cornwall to join them.

Adam Palmer and Graham Stirr are appealing for the Cornish football community to support a special match they are organising to raise funds for MND research.

And, inspired by ex-Penzance and Hayle Athletic FC colleague Dean, they will also go through the pain barrier by tackling the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon for the MND Association.

Adam said: “Dean is the sort of person who thinks nothing of going the extra mile for everyone around him. And so it only seemed right that we go the extra mile for Dean and his family as the face up to life with MND. That’s why we are bringing together his old team-mates and people who used to play under him for what we think is a very special charity match.

“Like us, we know there are so many people who think the world of Dean and we know the match will show just how much he means to people across Cornwall’s football family.

“The response to our invitations for people to play in the match has been phenomenal. Now, we are hoping that there will be a phenomenal show of support from our sporting community as a whole so we can raise as much money for the MNDA.”

The football fundraising match – billed as ‘Footy With Friends for a Friend’ - will take place on Saturday, April 29, with a 3pm kick-off at Trevassack Park, Hayle, which is one of Dean’s former clubs.

Dean moved from Ireland to the UK aged 16, starting at dental school two years early due of his academic ability and he has called Penzance his hometown for more than 20 years.

Adam and Graham set about organising the game after Dean spoke out about his MND diagnosis.

It was first confirmed back 2020 after the father-of-four suffered stiffness in his left hand and mild tremor in his arm. The 52-year-old’s life changed dramatically and he reluctantly decided to step away frontline duties at Bay Dental Practice, which he owned.

But his determination to help find a cure and develop treatments for MND has prompted Adam and Graham to step up their own efforts.

Graham said: “When Dean told us of his MND diagnosis we were knocked for six because he’s a true hero to us.

“But we were also a little bit dumbstruck because while we’d heard of it but we didn’t know what it entails. That’s why we want to do our bit to raise awareness of the condition as well as raising money for vital MND research.

“We’re training for the Leeds marathon which is inspired by rugby league legend Rob Burrow whose journey with MND is tugging on the nation’s heart-strings as has been the case with rugby union legend Doddie Weir. We know it will be tough but it’s a way of uniting behind people like Dean and his family.

“And it’s a way of showing how much we care and why he’ll always be an inspiration to people like us who have been lucky enough to play sport with him.”

Dean is now supporting research efforts that are being spearheaded by MND experts at Exeter University – and that has inspired Graham and Adam.

“There are some people who will, sadly, admit defeat when they’re confronted by something like MND and that’s understandable because it’s so daunting,” Graham added.

“But Dean is one of those people will stand up and fight back and that’s shown by his selfless efforts to help scientists.

“He wants to do his utmost to help then find a cure and improve treatment which will benefit future generations and that’s why Dean is so inspirational to us.

“There are lots of people who haven’t kicked a ball in ages but who can’t wait to get out on the football field for Dean, his loved ones and anyone affected by MND.”

Adam added: “We know that the football match will be a really emotional affair for us because Dean’s such a star and what’s happening to him and his family just isn’t fair. Dean’s former colleagues will be coming to Hayle from all over the place to help us all put money where mouths are and well as the football match, there will be lots of other great things going on around it.

“It should be a great day for everyone and I doubt there will be a dry eye in the house when we’re finished with the football match but the prospect of a marathon for Dean and other people affected by MND will keep us going.”

For further details about the MND Association charity match, visit the Footy With Friends for a Friend page on Facebook.

A Just Giving page has been set up for anyone who would like to donate and help raise funds for the MNDA: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/fwffaf