Cornwall FA is delighted to announce that its Charity of the Year for the 2019/20 Season is The Merlin MS Centre.

The Merlin MS Centre, formally the Merlin Project, was founded in 2001, by Derek Murphy, a retired Medical Doctor, and his wife Eileen.  Derek is a former head of the Neurosciences Section of the Administrative Headquarters of the British Medical Research Council in London.

The Centre provides affordable therapies and support for anyone in Cornwall living with a long-term neurological condition to improve their health and well-being and to help reduce isolation and loneliness. They provide financial support for those whose lives are affected by Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in the way of subsidies and grants. Other conditions which they also support include Stroke, Parkinson's, ME, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Fibromyalgia.

The Merlin MS Centre are an amazing organisation who rely on donations, charity events and initiatives to carry out their fantastic work, and Cornwall FA are thrilled to be able raise funds through the Durning Lawrence Charity Cup Competition this season with the addition of a company donation at the Cup final in May 2020.

Community Fundraiser at The Merlin MS Centre, Lucy Chappell said this; 

"We are so grateful to everyone from Cornwall FA for choosing to support Merlin MS Centre. This support will in turn help us as a charity to continue making a difference to the lives of those living with Multiple Sclerosis and other neurological conditions."

Cornwall FA Chief Executive Dawn Aberdeen had this to say;  “Choosing our ‘Charity of the Year’ is always a difficult decision with so many local worthy causes desperately needing financial help.  We are delighted to this year support the incredible work of the Merlin MS Centre and through the restructure of our charity competition this year raise the profile and hopefully generate more income for this dedicated organisation.”

This year 16 teams from the South West Peninsular league will be invited to take part and play mid-week fixtures under lights with the first round kicking off on 24th and/ or 25th September.