A SPECIAL charity football match is being staged at Newport's St George's Park tomorrow (Sunday) in aid of a prison officer with motor neurone disease.

The match will be between teams representing HMP Isle of Wight and the Isle of Wight NHS Trust.

HMP Isle of Wight prison officer Ben Rothwell was diagnosed with the debilitating condition last year, aged just 46 years.

After not feeling too well, Ben was sent to the doctors and following a number of tests and was given the life-changing diagnosis.

Ben, his wife Charlotte, daughter Izzy and son Louie, had only just found their dream home, which required some work.

As a family they were going to upgrade the property, but that has not been possible as a result of Ben’s illness.

With colleagues feeling helpless, Amanda and Gary Sandison came up with the idea to hold a fundraising event so everyone can help towards getting Ben’s home together as he and his family had planned.

A crowdfunding page was set up in a bid to raise £1,000 for Ben and his family.

Even before tomorrow's match, the target was passed and stands at £1,080 as of this morning (Saturday).

Ben's family also want to use the match as a way of making people more aware of what MND can do to a person.

Sadly, Ben is no longer working, but he is receiving support from Mountbatten Hospice in Newport. 

You can donate to the cause via JustGiving at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/paul-hemmett

The match kicks-off at 3pm, with the gates opening at 2pm.