Fylde coast football club rallies behind fundraiser for boy with genetic disorder

A Fylde Coast football club has rallied behind a brave young fan with a rare genetic condition as a family friend takes on a gruelling 250-mile walk to raise vital funds.

Little Bobby Parkin, from Great Eccleston, has MPS III (Sanfilippo syndrome), which is often described as “childhood dementia.”

Tragically, Bobby’s beloved grandad Alan Lowe died suddenly earlier this year. As a result, Alan’s best friend, Andreas Tzannes-Kastritis, has decided to walk from Brighton to Blackpool in support of Bobby and to help raise vital funds.

Bobby and his dad are regular supporters of Thornton Cleveleys Football Club, and can often be found watching first team games on Saturday afternoons. TCFC have issued a heart-warming message on social media, urging their fans to donate to Bobby’s cause.

The message reads: “Kass, one of Bobby’s late grandad’s closest friends, is walking all the way from Brighton to Blackpool, raising money to help support Bobby's care, additional needs and, most importantly, to help his family create as many happy memories and experiences with him as possible.

“The walk also carries an incredibly special meaning following the sudden loss of Bobby’s much-loved grandad earlier this year. Bobby absolutely adored him, and this journey will honour that bond while helping to support Bobby and his family for the future

“As a club, we’d love to get behind a little boy and family who spend so many of their weekends supporting TCFC.

“If you're able to donate, no matter how much, it would mean an incredible amount. And if you can't donate, simply sharing Bobby's story and the fundraising page could help it reach someone who can. Let’s show them what the TCFC family can do.”

More details and donation information can be found here.