Football memorabilia boxes made for care homes

Boxes of football memorabilia will travel around care homes, hospitals and hospices in the north-east of England

Boxes filled with football memorabilia will be distributed around care homes, hospitals and hospices to help supports fans' recovery.

Michael Ganley, who runs Sunderland's Fans Museum, has launched Through the Fans Eyes which will see 50 memory boxes filled with objects in the hope bringing feelings of comfort among those living with conditions such as dementia and sensory impairments.

From 4 August, Mr Ganley and volunteers will be at The Pavilion in Keel Square filling each box with items from his personal collection.

Mr Ganley said he hopes the project will "trigger happy memories".

Ten days later the boxes will be distributed to care centres throughout the north-east of England, where they will stay for a two week period.

After that time, each box will be exchanged for a different one containing new items.

Mr Ganley said he would eventually like to have 500 collections in circulation.

Michael Ganley said some of the items have been chosen for their tactile quality

At 54, Mr Ganley has been collecting memorabilia since he was 10 years old.

A lifelong Sunderland fan, his Fans Museum has been open since 2014.

Along with newspapers and programmes to help people with memory loss, the items in the boxes have been chosen for their tactile qualities for those with sight impairment.

"It is very often the case that handling items such as football boots trigger happy memories," Mr Ganley said.

"Football memorabilia can sometimes get through to people in a way that nothing else can."