THE son of stricken former Claret Gary Parkinson is holding a charity football tournament to help his dad fight his debilitating illness.

Luke Parkinson, 18, is appealing for fans of his dad’s former clubs to enter the contest and help raise cash to buy a wheelchair-adapted vehicle so his dad can come home more often.

Gary suffered a stroke in September 2010 and just days later was diagnosed with the rare Locked-in Syndrome.

The condition means he is aware and awake but cannot move or communicate except with his eyes.

Money raised at the event will also be spent on specialist equipment that will enable Gary to speak to his family via a machine that will read his eye movements.

Luke, who lives in Bolton said: “My Dad is progressing very well. He is still in the locked-in state, but is very aware cognitively. The next step is for him to regain more movement physically but he does continue to improve..

“All the family continue to remain positive, as we feel this will reflect on to my Dad.

“We are very excited about the tournament and impressed with how much support we are receiving. My Dad has given it his wink of approval too.”

The five-a-side football tournament will take place at Bolton Arena on August 7 and is open to fan-based teams of six who will play alongside celebrities like former Burnley player David Eyres.

Luke said: “As well as a wheelchair-adapted vehicle we are also hoping to buy a Dynabox, which will allow my Dad to look at a screen to say what he wants. The screen will detect his eye movements and blinks.

“The fact I am still able to communicate with my dad and share a laugh and a joke gives mel great strength.”

Entering the tournament costs £20 a player with all funds going to go towards the Gary Parkinson Trust Fund.

Teams will be entered into a group competition during the first half of the day, before progressing on to knock-out rounds.

Gary became a popular figure at Turf Moor when he scored the winning goal in Burnley's division two play-off against Stockport in 1994.

To take part visit the website below.