The Elliot Scally trust

The fund was set up by Gillingham Football Club Chairman Paul Scally and his wife Sara following the tragic death of their baby son Elliott in 2003.

Elliott suffered severe heart complications from birth and despite the tremendous efforts of the dedicated surgical team at the Guy's Hospital, London, led by cardiologist John Simpson, he survived only a few weeks. Elliott spent the last few days of his life being cared for at the Demelza Children's Hospice in Kent, which Sara described as "Heaven on Earth"

Paul and Sara kept in touch with Dr. Simpson, who was already involved with the Mercy Mission charity and it's work in Sri Lanka, and decided to set up the trust fund to support the missions as well as the work of the Demelza Hospice Care for Children. Since then sizeable donations have been made to both organisations - including £40,000 made to the Demelza Hospice Care for Children in December 2011.