Cheshire-based homecare provider Starcare and Chester FC have teamed up this season to raise funds and awareness about dementia.

Starcare, which has its primary base in the city and a rural office in Winsford, will be working with the football club and its supporters group the Senior Blues to raise awareness and funds for dementia.

This will consist of two match-day sponsorships, where children will be able to enter a competition to take part in a half-time generations penalty shoot-out.

The Senior Blues will go head to head against children aged five to 10 in a half-time penalty shoot-out, with the winner taking home a ‘Generation Star’ trophy.

Radio station Dee 106.3 will be giving people the chance to win a place as one of the penalty kick takers over the coming weeks for the first matchday sponsorship on Saturday, August 18, when as Chester FC host FC United.

The idea of bringing the Senior Blues and children together follows recent studies showing a person with dementia’s speech and memory improves after spending time with youngsters.

The generations penalty shoot-out is part of Starcare’s ‘Moments that Matter’; a greater initiative aiming to improve the wellbeing of Starcare’s clients in the wider community. Paula Pedlow, owner of Starcare, said: “Having the Senior Blues involved with this was very important to me and we are so happy they have shown such interest in this particular initiative.

"We work closely with people of all ages and abilities. Dementia is a debilitating symptom that does not discriminate.

"I hope that our work with Chester FC and the Senior Blues will not only raise much needed funds to support our chosen charities, but also raise much-needed awareness within our community on what dementia is and how you can seek help if you or anyone you know is affected.

"We are championing dementia this year. We are actively working with our client base and the wider community to ensure we do all we can to raise awareness and much-needed funds to continue research into dementia."