A CHARITY football match has been held in support of a 31-year-old father of two with early onset dementia.

Around 50 people turned up to the charity match to raise funds and awareness of the disease.

The match between Crindau Corinthians AFC vs Jimmy and Johnny Devlin Select XI was held to support Matthew Devlin.

Mr Devlin, of Malpas, Newport was recently diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia at the age of 31 and has lost the ability to speak.

The event raised £1,000 through the match and other fundraising activities such as a raffle.

Mr Devlin’s brother Jamie said: “This has left Matthew unable to talk and obviously it has made normal daily life near impossible.

"He has two beautiful children and was a great father to them but due to the illness he is unable to care for them by himself.

“His biggest hobby was football which he was very good at, and we thought it would be fitting to raise some money for dementia research and also raise awareness of working age dementia by having a football charity match."

And Mr Devlin’s friend and the manager of Crindau Corinthians AFC Jamie Higgs added: "Most of the people who played have played with Matthew before and they were a mixture of family and friends. Lots of people have put the effort in and contributed so its great really."

The match ended on a score of 5-5 and both teams, along with family and friends, headed to The Dodger pub on Chepstow Road for food and a raffle.

Mr Devlin and Mr Higgs have set up a Gofundme page which has raised £740 of the £1,000 target. To donate, or for more information, visit gofundme.com/matthew-devlin-raowad