With back-to-back fixtures at the Abbey Stadium in Sky Bet League Two this week, we’re also celebrating a pair of community heroes in association with Match Ball and Website Sponsors Ethos.
Each match day this season will see an individual rewarded for their contribution to sport in the community as the Hero of the Day. As well as featuring in the match day programme and on the Club's online channels, the Ethos Community Hero of the Day will also be given the opportunity to present the official match ball to the referee ahead of kick off.
ETHOS COMMUNITY HERO OF THE DAY - EXETER CITY - MARC PITMAN
On the 30th May 2018 Marc was part of the first amputee group to climb Mount Snowdon. Marc ascended Snowdon without his prosthetic leg and using crutches only!
Marc said about this adventure: “I have never allowed my 'disability' to define me as a person and I saw Mount Snowdon as yet another challenge. It was life changing for all involved!”
The climb was a physically and mentally demanding one: the several tricky rock passages combined with the sheer distance of the climb created an intimidating prospect. The group leaders however also noted the shows of humanity from other climbers, applauding the group and donating to the cause to mark their respect for what the amputees were achieving.
Special mention must go to Paul Clark, the ‘Team Snowdon Leader’ who unfortunately couldn’t be here for tonight’s game, but who led the team fantastically. He said: “this adventure was about getting a group of amputees together to show we are no different to other people and we can achieve anything we set our minds to.”
Marc, who was involved in Tuesday’s demonstration of amputee football at half time, is a key member of the Steel Bones Fitness Club helping amputees with physical and nutritional health. The Snowdon challenge was indeed undertaken in support of Steel Bones, a charity working to connect the amputee community. The group ended up raising over £12,000 with Marc himself raising over £1,500 within that.
ETHOS COMMUNITY HERO OF THE DAY – CHELTENHAM TOWN – SEAN BULLARD
Sean has been nominated by Cambridge United Community Trust's Phil Mullen, who coaches the Club's Man V Fat project which aims at helping men tackle weight loss.
The MAN v FAT Football scheme is for the very first time available in Cambridge. Local men who want to tackle their weight issues now have the chance to join this incredibly successful weight loss league. With 95% of players losing weight and some players losing up to 70lbs during the 14 week league.
Sean has been one of the most successful participants in the scheme, delivered by the Trust at the Abbey Leisure complex on Monday evenings.
Sean, What does Man V Fat involve?
Man v fat involves turning up, getting weighed and having an enjoyable game of football with men in a similar situation as yourself.
How long have you been doing Man V Fat Football?
I've been doing Man v Fat since the Cambridge league started in January.
How much of a difference has it made to your life/How successful have you been?
It has made a huge difference to my life. I now eat healthier, think about what I'm eating and most of all have a lot more energy to run around with my three year old son. Man v Fat for me has been hugely successful. I have lost almost 44kgs since January. I would never have dreamt I would lose that much weight, and would never have done it without the help of Man v Fat and the support of Phil Mullen and my team mates.
Would you recommend Man V Fat to other people?
I would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking to lose any amount of weight.
We're delighted Sean joins us at the Abbey tomorrow afternoon, and he'll be delivering the match ball sponsored by Ethos to our match referee prior to kick off this afternoon. Players can join up at https://www.manvfatfootball.org/cambridge and they can get more information by calling 0845 163 0042 or emailing football@manvfat.com