A football coach from Alness is helping to save the lives of people with blood cancer.
Peter Annal, 38, has had the logo of blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan printed on Alness United Youth Team’s 2015/16 kit to help raise awareness of stem cell and bone marrow donation.
Mr Annal, who runs Party Pete Entertainment as well as working for an engineering company, was inspired to promote the charity after donating stem cells to a stranger.
Peter donating his stem cells to give someone in need a chance of life
He said: “After donating I was on such a high I wanted to do something else to support Anthony Nolan.
“As I was thinking about it, I was asked about the strip for this season so I decided to put the Anthony Nolan logo on the shirt.”
He added: “I’d like to think the young footballers might notice the logo and look into finding out more.
“If just one person signs up to the Anthony Nolan register as a result, that’d be fantastic.”
The team in their new season strip
Mr Annal joined the Anthony Nolan register in 2003 after an appeal to find a donor for a local boy.
Then, in July this year, he received a letter from the charity to say that he was a potential match for a patient in desperate need of a stem cell transplant.
He selflessly agreed to donate his stem cells after further tests revealed that he was a good match. The procedure went ahead at the end of July and all Mr Annal knows about the person he donated to is that it was a man.
Mr Annal said: “The donation process was brilliant. It was all rather easy and really good.
“I think it was quite urgent as there wasn’t long between receiving the initial letter and making the donation.
“All my friends and family were really happy and supportive – everyone has been great and I was delighted to be able to do it.”
Alness United Youth Team’s first match of the season was on Sunday, August 23 and the new shirts made their debut at this match.
Along with 90 per cent of other stem cell donors, Mr Annal donated his stem cells through a simple outpatient procedure which is similar to giving blood.
If you're aged 16–30, you can join the register by clicking on the button below:
