Most people will know or have heard of Bernie Ross, the former UEFA Head of Production. Bernie is one of the most forward-thinking sports executives in the industry and has been responsible for some of the biggest sporting events in the world, like the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Euro 2016, along with many more events over the last 11 years. I worked with Bernie on the UEFA Champions League when Sky held the rights and I can say that Bernie was always someone who wanted to keep innovating in Sport.
 
Life sometimes takes some horrible paths and it certainly has for Bernie and his family. During the summer of 2016 and throughout the autumn, Bernie started to feel very unwell, but didn't really know what was wrong thinking it was a stomach problem, unfortunately Bernie didn’t recognise how bad his illness was and it got progressively worse just before leaving UEFA to join Discovery Networks. Bernie never did start that job at Discovery Networks instead after an investigation for a possible stomach complaint and after a lot of misdiagnoses, they discovered that he was suffering from a bi-polar mixed affective disorder.
 
Bernie's life and his family's life have been seriously impacted by this terrible mental health illness and Bernie is now permanently in hospital where they're treating his condition with medication. Bernie is not well enough for people to see him, but I know that his situation has put considerable stress on his family and has left them in a very difficult financial position.
 
I like to think that our industry is amazing at supporting each other and I would like to ask all of you to help support Bernie and his family to get through this traumatic period in their life. If you could give what you can to the Bernie Ross fund to help Bernie get the medical treatment he needs.
 
Please send your letters of support to 60 Walton Street, Oxford OX2 6AE

All donations raised will go to Bernie’s medical treatment.