NHS pays for season ticket

Mike Keegan and David Ottewell

December 17, 2007

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A SICK football fan was given NHS cash to buy a season ticket for a fellow supporter to keep him company at home matches.

Gavin Croft, a Rochdale fan suffering from multiple sclerosis, struck the deal with a fan he recruited on a supporters' internet site.

Mr Croft, whose vision is occasionally impaired by the degenerative condition, applied for £375 of money set aside for his care.

He used it to buy Kevin Smith a season ticket so he could commentate on the action on the pitch.

Council chiefs agreed to the arrangement on the grounds it would contribute to Mr Croft's health and quality of life.

Mr Croft, 40, from Chadderton, was able to make the deal under a pioneering scheme letting people choose how money set aside for their care is spent.

His decision was supported by Social Care Minister Ivan Lewis, who said it was a `very good example of imaginative use of individual budgets'.

Mr Croft, diagnosed with MS four years ago, applied to Oldham council to take direct control of his care budget under the government's Putting People First initiative.

The scheme has been piloted in Oldham and 11 other towns and cities. Individuals are means-tested to assess their health and personal needs.

After Mr Croft put out a plea on a Rochdale internet message board, Mr Smith, 43, agreed to help. "It's great," said Mr Croft.

"We go for a pint after the match."

Mr Smith picks up Mr Croft and drops him off after games.

Mr Croft's wife, Karen, said: "Gavin's a massive Rochdale fan and it's a big part of his life - but he needs someone to go with him.

"It has been great. It gives me the only time I get off all week and I don't have to watch football in the wet and the cold."

What do you think? Have your say.

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Showing comments 1 to 25 and replies | View All

dessie, manchester (17/12/2007 at 09:51)

leave the guy alone after all he does have a terrible time with his deisease, and now to make matters worse hes watching rochdale ;-))
only kidding enjoy your games, theres more money being wasted in councils up and down the country!!

chris (17/12/2007 at 10:10)

slightly different but on reflection if it gives the guy a better quality of life then good on him.

kiwimanc, Wellington (17/12/2007 at 10:10)

I think this is excellent news, the only bad thing about this story is the MENs headline provoking a negative reaction.

Stuhally, Salford (17/12/2007 at 10:38)

I can not believe the comments on here justifying this, there are kids on the poverty line who will not get anything for Christmas and this guys wastes 350 on a season ticket, and by the way I have a friend with MS and he has a good life without this type of money, this story really disgusts me.

David Bates (17/12/2007 at 11:12)

Misleading and rubbish headline for a great story about somebody using money set aside for their social care to make the most of their life (ie, what the money is intended for in the first place).

I wonder about the paper's knowledge of how the health and social care system works. The headline says that it's NHS cash, and the story says the money was approved by "council chiefs". The local authority and the National Health Service are separate organisations, and the "Chiefs" of one aren't going to be approving spending on the budget of the other. So what are the actual facts of this story?

alvinlwh (17/12/2007 at 11:12)

Wouldn't it be cheaper to pay for a Sky box for him instead?

S P In exile, Tameside (17/12/2007 at 11:39)

Stuhally, Salford
Do you remember the story of the bogus asylum seeker last week who ripped us of for 18 grand I was disgusted by it.

This story is one of compassion, a man who has a an illness I wouldn’t wish on anyone he is entitled to the money more than that guy last week, so leave the man alone.

Gavin take no notice of the heartless morons on here and enjoy your football.

pauly_paul, manchester (17/12/2007 at 11:51)

If its spend on a football ticket - I would consider this spare money, which he shoudl not be allocated next year.

Stuhally, Salford (17/12/2007 at 12:34)

SP In Exile, yes I do remember the story from last week and I put this story on par with it, ANYONE that milks the system is bad in my book, like I say there are lots of other people worse off then this guy and they get nothing. I understand what he goes through as I have a friend the same, now it says in the story that he occasionally does not see, does this mean that he can go out on his own sometimes to watch the match, what happens the rest of the time. Like I say it is a mickey take.

GOD IS A BLUE, Failsworth (17/12/2007 at 12:56)

My dad has a heart condition meaning he'll be dead soon,so can we have some money so we can go and watch city.

Barbara Williams (17/12/2007 at 13:02)

I think this is brilliant - if Gav had to buy spend the money on actual 'care' he wouldn't get much for £375 - this way he gets to see the footie which makes him feel good and his wife gets to put her feet up, which makes her feel good - what a result!

alix, manchester (17/12/2007 at 13:31)

this story disgusted me, my best friend has a similar eye condition & we go to concerts on a regular basis all paid for out of her own money which she earns working for a childrens charity, I hope this man gets this money taken off him when they budget next year this money is to help not to squander on foolishness

Batfink, Manchester (17/12/2007 at 13:35)

Isn't some sort of ground commentary broadcast on a local frequency that he could tune a radio into? My mum has MS, and I am under no illusions of how bad it can be, but this does seem a bit odd.

Mark Huxley (17/12/2007 at 14:04)

Oldham council should be applauded for trying to do things differently as should Mr Croft. If as his wife says this is the only time she gets off during the week from caring surely this is a good use of public money in providing help to carers who give many hours of unpaid care saving us all thousands.

wayneold, manc (17/12/2007 at 14:35)

Fair play to the guy!

I for one, is very happy to pay tax if its spent making peoples life better/happier!

urdygurdy (17/12/2007 at 15:09)

£ 375,00,you could buy rochdale football club for that.

reppick, salford (17/12/2007 at 15:54)

Gavin must qualify for carers allowance after medical examination. It is paid from the Works and Pensions department and is nothing to do with the NHS or council. It is up to him and his carer what it is spent on. He could spend it on drink or cigs but I am sure he does not. What they have done is give him an advance payment he will not get carers allowance until it is paid off. Mind you supporting Rochdale how sad.

BluePolarBear, ex of Stockport (17/12/2007 at 16:16)

I think this is a great idea,very appropriate, it's individualised and also helps someone get more out of facilities in their community..no doubt it will bring some happiness too.I can't see how any reasonable person could knock this.

Gavin Croft (17/12/2007 at 16:24)

I was quite saddened to read this article because it only tells half the story and makes me sound like I am getting something for nothing. I have supported Rochdale from a young age and have always travelled to matches independently. Since becoming ill 4 years ago my condition has deteriorated so that I am no longer able to do much for myself without support (not only visually but physically as well) and going to football is only part of the story as I need help from getting up in the morning to going to bed at night.
If I had received this help in the traditional way then the cost to the local authority would have been far greater than by using the support money creatively (something like 70% cheaper).
I have worked all my life (and continue to do so) in the belief that part of my taxes will contribute to supporting people who become ill to have a life and not just an existence.

Jue (17/12/2007 at 16:46)

Lets get the facts right here! Social Care ( NOT NHS money!) usually pay between £700 - £900 per week for so called "respite for carers" putting people in an institution. Gavin is using half that amount per year to get the same result! Good for Gavin, good for his wife and good for the taxpayer!! I'd say that was a good win for all.

Gavin Croft (17/12/2007 at 16:46)

I was very disappointed to read this headline as it does not tell the full story.Since becoming ill 4 years ago my condition has deteriorated and I now need support from getting up in the morning to going to bed at night. Watching football once a fortnight is my only leisure activity. As someone else has already commented this would have been far more expensive if done the traditional way with paid support workers (about 70% more expensive) than the way I choose to do it.
I have worked all my life and continue to do so (although slightly differently now!) in the hope that part of my taxes will help people to live a full life and not just exist with the bare minimum.

Carl Poll (17/12/2007 at 16:55)

Gavin Croft's purchase of a season ticket for someone who supports him go to matches is an efficient way of him getting the help he needs to live his life. Not only is it cheaper than spending money on a support worker to take part in a community activity, but this way he goes to matches with someone else who is mad about Rochdale FC. Gavin shows how people are usually more creative at organising the support they need to live a full life with other people in their communities. The alternative might be the spending of much more money on help which keeps people at home away from real life. If you want to know more about this approach, there are lots of stories about people who have, for example, escaped institutional care by planning and organising the money available for their support in creative ways - go to www.in-control.org.uk. in Control is the organisation that has been developing this system of social care - Self-Directed Support.

Jonathan Senker (17/12/2007 at 17:17)

I absolutely agree with the Rochdale fan and the politician- and that's a sentence I never expected to write.

As Mr Croft points out the money provided is far less than would otherwise have been paid to provide more traditional assistance, which probably would have done little to help Mr Croft live a fulfilled or independent life.

The key question here is whether we want to live in a society where people get what is doled out by the authorities regardless of what we truly want and need, or in communities where we are creditted with being able to find our own solutions- and in this case to save tax-payers money by doing so.

The real outrage is not this sensible use of funds but the millions (billions) that pay for 'care' that robs elderly and disabled people of independence and individuality and despite often good intentions leaves people lacking basic rights in 'homes' that are their home.

Jonathan Senker
Chief Executive
Advocacy Partners

Andrew Tyson (17/12/2007 at 17:22)

It's true that in the past Councils haven't always spent public money to support disabled people well or wisely. But this isn't a story about bureaucrats making silly decisons. The decision here is being made by Gavin, an ordinary guy who wants to make the most of life. We should celebrate!

Santas Helper, Manchester (17/12/2007 at 17:24)

This is a great story about someone doing something that works for them...and obviously means that Gavin is getting out and about in his community. I am sure that the Local Authority have made sure that he is eligible for support from services, and have agreed that this is a good outcome for the money. Good luck to Gavin and Karen, and Merry Christmas!

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