Good Friday's home fixture against Burton Albion on Good Friday, April 18 at St James Park will see Exeter City raise awareness of the Mind Over MND campaign.
The statistics are stark. For every 10,000 people, 33 will be diagnosed with MND. This means that when SJP is at total capacity of 8,600 – 25 people in the stadium will receive the devastating diagnosis.
And it’s not just something that happens to other people. Pete Eveleigh, Exeter City Community Trust's former inclusion officer, was diagnosed with the disease in November 2022. Since his diagnosis, Pete, his wife Jess and loyal friends have worked tirelessly to raise awareness of Motor Neurone Disease.
Mind Over MND was started by Pete in November 2022, and aims to raise awareness of the disease with meaningful merchandise and other fundraising activities. All proceeds from Mind Over MND are split between #TeamEvo - the fund to help Pete and his family - and the Darby Rimmer Motor Neurone Disease Foundation.
For Good Friday's 1pm kick-off, there will be a host of fundraising and awareness activities:
- Mind Over MND gazebo in the fan zone, raising awareness and promoting the brand.
- A bucket collection - so please bring your spare change!
- Exeter City player will warm up in #TeamEvo t-shirts ahead of kick off.
- Long term club volunteer and member of the grounds team Kenneth 'Colonel' Saunders will have his head shaved to raise money for #TeamEvo.
- Video footage to be played on the in-stadium big screen.
- Over 500 Mind Over MND flags to be distributed to supporters around the ground.
Since Pete's diagnosis in 2022, the club have supported the Eveleigh family through a difficult period in their life in a number of ways. For the last two years, the club's annual Party At The Park has helped raise funds for Mind Over MND, while in 2023, Gary Caldwell and his back room staff ran the Exeter Half Marathon for the campaign. On Boxing Day 2022 against Portsmouth, the club also dedicated the match day to the Darby Rimmer Foundation to support former Grecian Marcus Stewart's diagnosis with MND, which then had extra significance shortly after Pete's diagnosis.
Pete was awarded the Premier League Community Captain award in March 2024 in recognition of his contribution to the football club and its charity and for the work that he, his family and friends have done to raise awareness of MND.
Clubs across the Premier League, EFL and National League were invited to nominate a Community Captain, somebody at the heart of their Premier League-funded programmes, who deserves recognition for their commitment and contribution to the game and society.
Pete, Jess and Oliver attended the Exeter City Training Ground, where Pete was presented with his award by manager Gary Caldwell, and club captain, Pierce Sweeney.
Danny Harris, head of services at Exeter City Community Trust, said: “Pete has been and continues to be a hugely respected part of the Exeter City Community Trust family, and is now bravely fighting Motor Neurone Disease (MND). The Colonel, who has worked alongside Pete over the years, wants to give back and show support in the most memorable way.
“Pete’s friends and family will be in the Fanzone raising both funds and awareness of the disease. We want to come together as a club to show Pete that he is not alone and we’re here to support him.”
Please help us support Mind Over MND on Good Friday, April 18.
To find out more about the work of Pete, Jess and their friends in raising awareness for those with MND, visit www.mindovermnd.co.uk