A CHARITY football match to celebrate a young man who survived a heart attack raised thousands of pounds at the weekend.

Kieren Mooney endured the "scariest night of his life" last year when he suffered a heart attack while out running at the age of just 18.

A year on from the terrifying episode, Kieren wanted to mark the event with a charity football match to raise money for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland at Alloa's Indodrill Stadium where Kieren regularly watches his beloved Wasps.

Kieren, who is a student at Glasgow's University of Strathclyde, told the Advertiser: "It was perfect; we could not have planned it any better. It exceeded all expectations."

At the time of writing, the fundraising total was at a fantastic £2,575, with more than £300 raised from charity buckets at the match, a feat which touched the 19-year-old.

He said: "I was definitely touched by it, it was very overwhelming for so many people to come through from Glasgow and part with their money is so special. It was amazing to speak to everyone at the end."

The match itself had more than 100 spectators with the players made up of Kieren's friends from different walks of life.

Not only was the game a close-fought battle, but Kieren himself managed to bag two strikes, including the winner just 34 seconds from time, a moment he described as "special".

He added: "I want to just thank everybody from the players to the pie lady who was in from 7am making sure there was food for everyone, and everyone who came to watch.

"It has been a tough year and to end it at Recreation Park, which means so much to me, was great."