Queen’s Park Football Club has marked Epilepsy Scotland’s 70th anniversary with the presentation of a special commemorative strip, celebrating a decade-long partnership born from a touching story of community spirit and remembrance.
In a ceremony at Epilepsy Scotland’s Govan headquarters, Queen’s Park representatives presented the commemorative shirt to Chief Executive Lesslie Young OBE as part of the charity’s milestone birthday celebrations.
The relationship between Queen’s Park FC and Epilepsy Scotland began following the tragic loss of Martin Kelly, a beloved member of the supporters’ club, to Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP).
Martin, who was the voice of Queen’s Park TV match highlights and a devoted fan who followed the team home and away, left an indelible mark on the club’s community.
In his honour, the Queen’s Park Supporters Association Travel Club Player of the Year award now bears his name.
“We would like to thank Queen’s Park Football Club and members of their Supporters Association for helping mark our 70th anniversary,” said Lesslie Young OBE, Chief Executive of Epilepsy Scotland. “Despite the progress made in epilepsy care over the past seven decades, there are ongoing challenges and so much more needs to be done, especially around employment.”
Honouring Martin’s memory
The Queen’s Park Supporters Association has consistently honoured Martin’s memory through numerous fundraising initiatives, including charity football matches, race nights, raffles, and quiz nights, with all proceeds benefiting Epilepsy Scotland’s vital work.
Lesslie Young added, “Substantial work remains in promoting understanding and education. By improving both, we could see a real reduction in the stigma that still attaches itself to the condition that affects many on a daily basis.”
Kieran Koszary, Head of Commercial at Queen’s Park said: “Congratulations to the team at Epilepsy Scotland on their 70th birthday, a fantastic achievement for a charity who do such fantastic work in the community and beyond. We look forward to working with them for many more years in the future.”
