A FOLK-rock band has released a single to raise money for an appeal set up by the family of former Claret Gary Parkinson.

Gary, who played more than 130 games for Burnley, has locked-in syndrome after suffering a major stroke last September.

In a 16-year career, Teesside-born Gary also turned out for Middlesbrough, Southend, Bolton Wanderers, Preston North End, Blackpool and Stalybridge Celtic.

Middlesbrough band The Wildcats of Kilkenny are donating the proceeds from their first single, released on Sunday, to the Gary Parkinson Trust Fund.

The song, a reworking of the theme from the 1960s TV show The Power Game, was chosen because it is played traditionally as the ‘Boro team runs out at home ground the Riverside.

Wildcats frontman Mike McGrother said half the money would go to the Finlay Cooper Fund, another Teesside charity.

He said: “Anyone who knows the Wildcats will know we have a very special affinity to Middlesbrough FC and these two causes seemed to be really worthy causes to help.

“They are completely committed to helping Teesside’s own and that makes them perfect to work with.

“Even if people don’t like us – we hope they will still dig deep for a copy because it will make such a difference to the lives of Gary Parkinson and children across Teesside.”

Gary, who is married with three children, is aware and awake but can only move or communicate with his eyes.

His family set up the fund in the hope of raising money to buy specialist equipment which will enable him to communicate via a machine which reads eye movements.