Lancashire FA were delighted to host our Sporting Memories PR day on Monday, ahead of the first group get together on June 25th.

Sporting Memories, in association with Sport England, is an inititive designed to help those living with dementia, depression or loneliness by recalling sporting moments from the past, and sharing those moments with others. The PR day at the County Ground on Monday 18 June was a roaring success, with local media and some of our sporting heroes over the years in attendance, such as Burnley legend Brian Pilkington and former Preston North End forward, Alex Bruce.

 Johnny Robinson, who played for Bury FC in the Second Division in the 1950's was in attendance at the PR day, and said he will be returning in the next few weeks when the project starts.

"I was a bit reserved before today about coming, but after talking to my wife, we decided to come and I'm so glad we did. The speakers were fantastic and we got a real sense of what Sporting Memories will do for everyone. I'll be coming back when it starts next week, that's for sure."

Alex Bruce, who played for Preston North End over a 14 year spell during the 1970's and 1980's, was also a large admirer of the project.

"I think this is a fantastic initiative. I know Keith McIntosh really well, and he's worked tirelessly to set this whole thing up. He's brilliant in getting people together and working on putting events like this in place, and to see everyone's faces when we were talking about sporting moments from decades ago, it was a great sight."

Trevor Meredith, a member of the Burnley side who narrowly lost in the 1960-1961 European Cup quarter-final, was also in attendance for the PR day, and believes looking back on memories from the past is a great help to people living with dementia and/or loneliness.

"Everyone in the room was invigorated by today's event. I think this is going to spread and cause a lot of people a lot of happiness over the next few months and hopefully it will grow and grow."

For more information on the Sporting Memories group at the Lancashire FA, or to get involved email  andrew.whitaker@lancashirefa.com

Click here for a full image gallery from Monday's PR event at the County Ground.