St. Andrews Green Valley is hosting the 3rd annual ‘One Day, One Goal’ charity 5-a-side football tournament on Saturday September 22 in aid of the Luca Waugh Foundation.
Three years ago young Luca Waugh tragically entered a swimming pool by himself and nearly drowned. Luca spent the next five weeks in intensive care and was finally discharged after seven weeks but the prognosis was bleak. Diagnosed with severe Cerebral Palsy, blind and unable to move in any way, Carl and Wendy, his parents, were told the best they could hope for was that Luca might be able to roll onto his stomach and utter approximately seven words.
Luca Waugh.
Unable to accept this, Luca, with the support of his family and friends, began the long process of restoration. It was at this point that Luca’s Foundation was created and funds donated then and since have allowed no stone in Luca’s recovery to be left unturned.
Many therapies both traditional and alternative have been explored and the results of this have been amazing. Sight has been restored and some muscle control regained. Luca sits independently, he commando crawls and pulls himself up to kneel against furniture. The most amazing progress has been cognitive. Luca can talk. Not just a few words, but full sentences and entire nursery rhymes. More incredible still, he is beginning to read. It is hoped that with further speech therapy his pronunciation will continue to improve.
The organizers hope as many people as possible will come along to support the tournament and increase awareness for pool safety and also raise as much money as possible for this incredibly brave young boy’s foundation.
The competition has seen entrants from many international schools in Bangkok and Pattaya and also local teams from the Green Valley area.
The competition starts at 8.30am and finishes at 1pm. There will be food and drink available for purchase. Entrance is free but all donations are gratefully received. All proceeds go to the Luca Waugh Foundation.
For more information, call St. Andrews School on 038 030 701.
