BARRINGTON Gaynor’s nerves and muscle tissues might have been degenerated by the dreaded Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis disease, but one thing it cannot take away is his undying passion for football.

Gaynor, 45, was diagnosed in 2008 with a disorder known as the Lou Gehrigs disease after it caused the death of famed New York Yankee baseballer in 1941.

Gaynor, or “Cobra”, has he is called, is wheelchair-bound as his muscles have been eaten away, rendering him helpless.

Former national women’s coach Christopher Bender, Cobra’s good friend of over 30 years and with whom he played on the all-conquering Camperdown High School team that won the schoolboy ‘triple crown’ in 1982, read a message from Gaynor.

“I want to congratulate the coaching staff and the Under-17 team that qualified for the World Cup,” said the statement.

“My family and I are grateful for this gesture and I thank you very much,” it concluded.

Bender, along with Cobra’s wife, Nyoka, his five-year-old daughter Juanelle and close friend Adrian “Bobo” Harrison, was on hand to share in the special testimonial match with him.

“It is very difficult for me because we are like brothers. Right now it is very emotional for me,” Bender pointed out.

“I might not be there every time because I’m a little bit busy, but whenever I get the chance, I’m out there night and day,” said Bender.

“He was such a helpful person. He gave scholarships to so many persons he didn’t even know their names. He just told me to find a person,” said Bender.

“He is just asking the football fraternity to just pray for him, that’s all he wants,” noted Bender.

To date, $302,000 has been collected on Gaynor’s behalf. The Sports Development Foundation handed over a cheque for $200,000; Harbour View chipped in with $50,000, with another $9,000 being garnered from the benefit match between his former club Harbour View and Boys’ Town last Sunday.

Friends of Harbour View donated another $8,000.

Waterhouse FC, which Gaynor coached in 2006, also contributed $25,000 and Bull Bay FC, where he played and coached, trumped in $10,000.

For persons willing to contribute, an account at National Commercial Bank account #204095744 has been set up for donations.

Other events, including his alma mater Camperdown High School, and further pledges of donations, are expected.

His wife, Nyoka is appreciative of the gestures to assist the former national footballer in these difficult times.

“It has been really rough; words can’t explain. It has been extremely rough on everybody, seeing that everybody looked up to him,” she said.

“The support is really good, I can’t complain,” she added.

But his wife of seven years said it is heart-wrenching to explain to his five-year-old daughter Juanelle the severity of the illness.

“She knows he is sick and always thinks that he is going to get better,” Nyoka explained.