Cupar’s ‘Old Firm’ set for weekend clash

Local supporters of both Celtic and Rangers football clubs will don their respective team colours when they go head-to-head at Duffus Park at 12 noon.

The event, which is free to attend, will raise money through donations for young dad Joni Halley who was recently diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.

The event is being organising by Joni’s friends including Wayne Melrose.

34-year-old Joni, whose family live in Cupar, was given the devastating news that he has the degenerative disease last October.

As a result of his condition he has had to give up work and needs adaptations made to his home in Glenrothes which he shares with wife Becky and daughters Iona (7) and Aimee (3).

As each day becomes more of a challenge for Joni, an extension will have to be built to the family home as well as a wet room and bathroom with disabled facilities.

Although Fife Council is contributing to the work, it will cost thousands of pounds and once complete, Joni hopes his ‘bucket fund’ will continue so other families affected by MND can benefit.

Joni’s sister Michelle Smith said: “It’s heartbreaking to see just how rapidly the disease is developing. Just a year ago he was a fit young man with an active outdoor job building fences.”

This is the fourth year the charity ‘old firm’ match has taken place; last year the event raised money for the Age Concern mini bus and for two years prior to that it was orgaised by Cupar dad Chris Wroniecki to raise funds for children’s cancer charity CCLASP.