In January this year, our then Chairman Dave Giffard was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). This was a huge shock for his family and friends, and also for the board.
Dave has been a stalwart with Forever Bury (Bury Football Club Supporters Society) – giving 21 years of service, and has always been part of the furniture. A huge void was left when he ended his tenure as Chairman at the most recent AGM in July due to ill health.
A letter from Dave was read to attendees at the AGM, with him thanking every single member and business who have supported the society over the years.
We want to pay tribute to a man who did so much for his club, especially through fundraising and organising events. Over the last 3 years he vowed to continue the fight to save our club, history, memorabilia, IP and stadium. Dave was known for his annual Forever Bury Beer Festivals, which were the largest fundraiser in the society’s calendar and brought new people into the club from outside the area as they enjoyed over 50 beers, ciders and ales.
In February, along with benefactors and the government funding, the board managed to secure the stadium from the administrator. We now have our home back and have already seen countless groups from the community using the facility. We look forward to having an elite men’s team playing on it as soon as possible.
The MND association needs more funding to finance research into the indiscriminate terminal condition. You can help by donating via this link:-
https://www.mndassociation.org/get-involved/donations/
We as a society also fully support the work of the Len Johnrose charity, which you can donate to here:-
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/project92
Part of the proceeds of the recent Legends game were given to our great midfielder’s charity, and all the gate receipts of our upcoming game in his memory will go to this great cause. You can get tickets for that match here:-
https://www.buryfcss.co.uk/len-johnrose-legacy-trophy-unveiled-at-gigg-lane/
Chairman of Bury Football Club Supporters Society, Daniel Bowerbank added, “I have got to know Dave really well over the last 12 years after becoming involved with assisting on the board.
It was heartbreaking for me to learn about his diagnosis. It’s so sad to think that we used to talk to each other for hours about all things football over a beer, but now that has been taken away from him. His energy levels are now limited, which is frustrating for him, particularly because we have so much to discuss.
The role Dave has undertaken for the last 21 years as Chairman is a huge void to fill, and one that I was honoured to take up myself. I would love to be even half the person that Dave was in this role.”
We would like to place on record our huge gratitude to Dave for all his efforts and also offer our support to Eve, Katie and his family at this time.
