How we helped Eythan go for Gold!

We are delighted to announce that following assistance provided by the fund to another worthy cause and member of the Police family, we have enabled a budding sports star of the future to live his dream.

Eythan Galloway (13), son of serving Police Officer and dog handler Ryan, suffers from Spinal Muscular Atrophy but has never let that get in his way, taking part in sport and wishing to represent his own country. Eythan was already performing to a high standard in the new upcoming sport of Powerchair Football, but was restricted in progressing further, as the financial cost of obtaining the latest state of the art equipment to play at top level, was out of reach of the family.

Following a successful application to the SPBF, we were able to assist in securing the latest powered sports wheelchair from the USA and this has allowed Eythan to go from strength to strength and develop his natural talent for the sport further.

Eythan’s hard work and determination has ultimately paid off and we were delighted to hear that he was selected to try out for the National Squad in May last year. Eythan clearly impressed the coaches and went on to be selected to play for Scotland in the first ever Scottish Powerchair Football game which took place in Largs in December 2018. Not only that, but Eythan whilst earning his first cap for Scotland went on to score the first ever goal for Scotland that day!

Since then Eythan has gone from strength to strength, travelling to Leeds in February this year where once again he was selected to play in the Duncan Scales Memorial Cup where the team came a credible second in the tournament.

The family are immensely proud of their budding star and are currently waiting to hear if Eythan will be one of 6 Scottish players selected to travel to Belfast in May 2019 for the first International competition against Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland national squads. Good luck Eythan!

Eythan’s family have expressed their sincere thanks for the support the SPBF has given them over the years and surely we will see much more of him in a Scotland jersey as he hones those skills further. The SPBF will be watching with keen interest and wish Eythan and all the players of the Scottish Powerchair Football Team all the very best in their future endeavours and becoming a top class international team.

The SPBF previously produced a series of short videos spotlighting some of our work over the years. In them, officers and their families tell us their stories and what the Scottish Police Benevolent Fund has done for them. You can view these videos by clicking on our blog via the home page. If you know somebody who needs help then contact us.

It costs less than the price of a cup of coffee a month to become a member of the Scottish Police Benevolent Fund, giving you peace of mind that in times of need or hardship, we have your back even long after you retire. If you’d like to join the SPBF, make a donation or raise funds for us please get in touch.