FRIENDS of a 44-year-old Bradford man who was struck down by an aggressive form of motor neurone disease and died last year are to raise funds for charity in his memory.

A special event this weekend will coincide with the first anniversary of Richard Barrett’s death.

The father-of-two, of Town Lane, Thackley, was a Bradford City fan and junior football coach, so the fundraising efforts include a football match and, later, a family fun day at Eccleshill Football Club.

Funds raised will benefit the Motor Neurone Disease Association which works towards finding a cure for the disease.

Mr Barrett, a carer for autistic adults, was diagnosed with aggressive MND in November 2014 after suffering breathing difficulties and having trouble using his hands. The disease’s rapid advance saw him pass away just over nine months later.

Since his diagnosis, friends and family have managed to raise a staggering £10,000 for the MND Association in Mr Barrett’s name through a variety of fundraising events.

Now friends Carl Mcgeachy and Craig Blessington, who met Mr Barrett through their junior football coaching of rival teams, have organised a football match and family day to benefit the charity – which they hope will become an annual event.

Mr Mcgeachy, who coaches juniors at Eccleshill United, also helped his long-time friend Mr Barrett through his final days at the hospice in Saltaire where he works as a carer.

“Before Richard died there were only 12 people in Bradford with motor neurone disease, it’s that rare,” he said.

Denise Barrett, Mr Barrett’s mum, praised the pair, saying it was great to be able to raise even more funds in her son’s name.

The football match takes place at Goals, Swain House, Bradford, from 1pm on Sunday, where Mr Barrett’s friends and family will split into two teams of Bradford City fans and Leeds United fans. Afterwards there will be a family day at Eccleshill United, where there will be face-painting, a bouncy castle, and a children’s entertainer, as well as a DJ playing 80s music, and a raffle and auction.

They hope to raise upwards of £3,000 and are expecting more than 300 people to attend the family event.