Turf Moor will host the Gary Parkinson Tribute Dinner Sponsored by Fun88, on 6 March 2011, where members of the football community from professional clubs around the North West will be helping raise funds for Gary Parkinson's family and recovery. 
Already confirmed are ex players from Burnley and Blackpool, with guest speakers and ex Clarets Steve Kindon and Paul Fletcher. There will be auctions and activities planned throughout the event to help raise further funds. Also Burnley FC sponsors Fun88 have splashed out to fund the event. Gary who is recovering from a major stroke, has been receiving get well messages from people from all over the footballing world, at Burnley one way to pass on a message is through the Burnley Former Players Association site's "Gary Parkinson Reflection Page" http://www.burnleyfpa.com/GaryParkinson.html After the stroke Doctors feared Gary had been struck down with 'Locked-in syndrome' a form of paralysis which leaves the sufferer unable to speak, move or swallow. David Eyres who had been a regular visitor to Gary's bed side said to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph “I was holding his hand and chatting to him about when we played for Burnley, when we got promotion, and he was chuckling. “He had only been responding by lifting his eyes previously – it was just amazing. You get upset when you see Gary, but Deborah has been so strong. "She has been told that he should regain his voice, as his vocal chords have not been affected. It is clearly going to take a long, long time to get back to any sort of life but the fact Gary has been told he will speak again is great.” Tickets for the night are avalible from Veronica Simpson (Chairperson of the Burnley FC Former Players Association) On 079743100099 01282 700001 (Afternoons only) or E-Mail Veronica on v.simpson@yahoo.co.uk |