Your life can change in an instant, no-one knows what lies ahead! Donate today to build a better life for Ross and the disabled community in Scotland. Your donation will help to build a community hub for disabled people to thrive!
Ross Edwards passion in life was football, he lived and breathed the game. Ross, a Dundee fan, signed as a schoolboy for Dundee United, under the legendary Jim McLean. He gave up his education and schooling in the hope of winning a full time contract and was devastated when he was released at 19 years old, but he was determined to succeed and play football professionally.
On the morning of December 13th, 1980, Ross, now 21, had his whole life ahead of him, he had hopes, dreams and ambitions. Life was good, he was now an Engineer, in a wonderful relationship, back playing and enjoying his football, and his family were celebrating the arrival of a new baby.
He was a leader on and off the park, he was an inspiration to others. A popular team mate, fiancé, friend and family member who would do anything to help and support those around him.
Little did he know that by the time the sunset that bleak winter afternoon, his hopes, dreams and ambitions would be in tatters and life would never be the same again..
That Saturday Ross had a game of football for his work team PPD Monifeith against Fairmuir Social Club at Caird Park in Dundee, with his family visiting the new baby, Ross decided to go to his fiancés for dinner after his game.
This meant a different route home across Dundee. Five of his teammates saw this as an opportunity for a lift home, Ross, not wanting to disappoint anyone reluctantly agreed, and they all piled into his Morris 1100. Minutes later, whilst driving along the Kingsway, the weight of the passengers caused the back axel to snap, and the brakes to fail, Ross lost control of the car and collided with a lamppost. Ross took the full brunt of the impact to his head.
Whilst his passengers walked away virtually injury free, Ross had to be cut free and was not expected to survive.
Ross spent the next nine months, mainly in an induced coma at Dundee Royal Infirmary. When he was fit enough to leave, he left as a completely different person. He has permanent brain damage, no short term memory, severe speech difficulties and is now permanently confined to a wheelchair.
However, Ross has never lost his smile, warmth, positive attitude or his love of the game.
Ross has now been in the care of Capability Scotland, for over 40 years, both in community support and residential care. Now residing at our Upper Springland facility in Perth.
With Upper Springland now being deemed a flood risk, Capability Scotland has dreams of a new service 'Our Inclusive Community Project' to the North of Perth, in the middle of a thriving new community.
Ross, has been part of the design team, helping to create a new home that will cater for his every need. Ross loves social interaction, playing dominoes and chatting about football. With this in mind a community hub will form part of the new £28 million facility. A place where Ross and fellow residents from all over Scotland and day service users, mainly from Tayside and Fife, can meet friends and family, visit the gym, watch the football or reap the benefits of a hydrotherapy pool. All of which will have a positive impact on their mental health and well-being.
The community hub has an estimated cost of £8 million but the value and quality of life it will bring to Ross and the people we support will be priceless. With just over £4 million secured so far, we are reaching out to you to help close this gap a little further and help to make Ross's dreams become a reality.
By donating to support the building of the community hub at "Our Inclusive Community Project" you aren't just helping Ross, the disabled people we support and their families, you are creating opportunities for others, with plans to open up the community hub to local groups like parent and toddlers swimming groups, you are helping to create memories and bonds that will last a lifetime.
Your donation today will help to create a legacy of support to disabled people from all over Scotland. Ross will have a space to relax and chat and watch football with friends. His fellow residents will reap the benefits of the hub and the local community will benefit massively, your donation, no matter the size, will help to open the door of opportunity to thousands of people.
This campaign is supported by ex-footballers Gordon Smith and Billy Davies, who were both determined to help after hearing Ross's story, you can become part of Ross's story too.
Please donate today and create a community hub where everyone can thrive!
* Charities pay a small fee for our service. Find out how much it is and what we do for it.
