When the lockdown first hit, Martin Bamford's thoughts immediately turned to his father.

Living hundreds of miles away from Ron, 84, he knew that the services his dad uses to manage his dementia would be stopping almost immediately.

Usually, Ron, who lives in Ashton, would spend days at The Shed in Dukinfield and Ashton’s Age Concern - services that are vital in helping both him and his family.

Knowing that all these would be coming to an end, Martin, who lives in Scotland, knew he had to do something.

Combining Ron’s love of football and drawing, Martin set his dad a challenge - to draw football badges to keep his mind active.

Now, more than 1,000 clubs later, both dad and son are still going strong and say that what began as something to fill time in the day has brought them closer than ever.

“Mum and Dad were in the house on their own isolating,” said Martin.

“My sisters were doing a great job delivering food, but I wanted to do something to help because I knew mum would be struggling to fill Dad’s day.

“Knowing he likes football and drawing I thought, why don’t I send him Premier League football badges and he can draw those and send them me back?”

The pair began with Premier League clubs, before quickly completing the other UK and Irish leagues. Such is the extent of their creativity, the pair are currently completing the Equatoguinean Primera División.

It’s brought them closer together, both reminiscing about their time spent following Manchester City when Martin was younger.

“He used to take me to Maine Road when I was a kid. I’m 59 now and we used to watch Frannie Lee and Colin Bell - we both love Man City,” Martin added.

“From a personal view, I can’t speak for my dad, but later in life it’s given us something to share again. I’ve lived away from home for 40 years, but it’s something that’s been good to share.”

The pair even went to visit the Etihad Stadium last time Martin visited, having their photo taken with the Carabao Cup.

The routine has been vital to Ron, who wakes up each day excited to see what badges Martin will ask him to draw today.

“It fills half a day for my mum,” explained Martin.

“He asks for them every day, that’s his routine. He says I’ve got to do my badges.

“With dementia, a routine really helps. Once we’ve finished football we’ll go onto cricket, rugby and any other sports.”

Ron has lived in Tameside almost all of his life and currently resides in the Hazelhurst area of Ashton. 

During his working years most of his time was spent as a foundryman at Broadbent Foundry, in addition to his national service. 

Martin moved away with work, but says he always enjoys returning to Tameside to visit his parents whenever he can.

Ron has been getting through stationary rather quickly, but thankfully his extended family have stepped up to the plate to keep him in paper and pencils.

Martin thinks that were it not for his football drawing challenge, his dad would have deteriorated during the lockdown.

“I’m not a doctor, but lockdown would’ve seen him go downhill quickly,” he said.

“He goes to the Shed in Dukinfield twice a week and Age Concern. He had his full week’s planned out and it stopped overnight pretty much.

“I thought first of all he’ll drive Mum up the wall.”

With things gradually returning to normal and day services reopening, Ron has vowed to still continue with his badge drawing.

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