CROSSGATES-based football club Crystal Barcelona have been reflecting on their fund-raising campaigns for the year including efforts to help out a West Fife man making a remarkable recovery from serious illness.

Robert Sherry, from Halbeath, is a well-known community fund-raiser and great friend of the club who has battled a brain tumour and a stroke and was in hospital for many months as a result.

Close friends didn’t think he would pull through but Robert has amazed his doctors by not only being well enough to be cared for at home but by walking again after suffering complete paralysis.

Robert’s latest aim is to return to work, something that his friends never thought possible.

Club Secretary Paul Laidlaw said, “He is a great friend of the club and a well-known face in Crossgates. When we found out we all expected him to pass away but to see him progressing has been amazing.” Crystal Barcelona FC have made donations recently totalling £200 to the Good Companions senior citizens club, Crossgates Greenfingers and an individual donation to Robert.

The club are also playing an important role in the formation of a Crossgates Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO).

The club themselves recently received a private donation of £600 from locals Ian and Sandra O’Connor which was used to buy much-needed kit and equipment.

Manager Ronnie Duncan told the Press, “It’s all about give and take as the club has always been about success on and off the pitch and both go together hand-in-hand sometimes. We aim to be a family-orientated club that puts on activities for the benefit of the local community. We are keen to see new players so if anyone is interested get in touch, get fit and play football.” Mr Laidlaw added, “We have always aimed to put resources back into Crossgates as the club is supported by people in Crossgates so it makes sense. We are supported by the staff and customers of the Crystal Bar in Crossgates whose support is just fantastic. We have plans in place to hold a children’s Christmas party this year and organise the CBFC annual ‘loony dook’ at Aberdour’s Silver Sands on New Year’s Day.” Brian Marr, chairman of the club, said, “It’s down to the hard work of the committee and supporters of CBFC that makes these grants possible and over the past four years the club have made donations of approximately £4000, a tremendous achievement.” A substantial portion of that £4000 came from a number of club members doing a walk on the West Highland Way that raised £1200 for the Teenage Cancer Trust a year ago.