By Danny Ward
Ramsgate Legends and Ramsgate Select teams battled it out on Sunday (July 2) to raise money to help a little girl with a rare neurodevelopmental disorder,
Five -year-old Ella Gonzalez-Bello has White-Sutton syndrome and is non-verbal, non-mobile and has issues with sight, hearing, eating and development. Ella also has epilepsy which has progressively worsened with the youngster suffering between 50 and 100 fits a day.
This has a huge impact on her loving family, parents Samantha and Christopher and big sister Mia. They require specialist home improvements and equipment and while some of the cost is covered by grants, there is a £40,000 shortfall which family are seeking to fundraise.
The two sides were made up of Ramsgate Legends and family and friends. The legends, managed by Jim Ward, boasted the talents of players from years past such as Warren Schulz, Simon Petit, Stefan Ball, Andy Hadden and Mo Takaloo.
The Select 11, managed by Danny Ward, featured more recent Rams such as Kane Rowland, Joe Taylor, Ollie Gray, Luke Wheatley and Tom Loynes, plus Paul Hill, Paul Jeffcoate and Ada Hubbard.
Jim and Danny Ward, who have previously managed Ramsgate FC to success, are great uncles to Ella.
The score finished 6-5 to the Select 11, after goals from Joe Taylor (2), Sam March (2), Harrison Petit and current Rams manager Ben Smith.
The Legends managed goals from Mikey Cassar and his dad Mick Cassar, Dan Tanner , Stefan Ball and an own goal by Ollie Gray.
Of note was Ben Smith’s strike, which turned out to be the winner, from more than 20 yards out, as well as Joe Taylor’s volley from outside the box within the first minute!
Select 11 captain, Luke Wheatley lifted the trophy, presented by Ella’s mum Samantha.
Danny said: “Many thanks to Jo Park for refereeing and all at Ramsgate FC for their help in organising on the day and before.
“We managed to raise £3000 on the day and donations online.
“Special thanks to Ella’s grandad Ginio, also known as Super Mario, for his goalkeeping in the kids’ penalty shootout at half time.”
Upcoming fundraising events:
July 28 -meal at the Racing Greyhound plus sponsored walk with the theme to The Proclaimers 500 miles, which is a family song with family and friends walking all round the world including Australia.
Yoga retreat day.
Golf day at North Foreland on September 27th, all welcome – email [email protected] for details
The latest total on the gofundme page for Ella and family is £8055