AN inspirational Kilmacolm mum has told how her son's diagnosis with a life-threatening illness as a tiny baby prompted her to form a charity to help people who have lost limbs.
Ashley Pedersen is the founder of Amputee Football Association Scotland (AFAS).
Ashley's son, Monty, was just 10 weeks old when he was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis.
After spending 10 days on life support, brave Monty recovered fully, and at the age of 12, he's growing up alongside his big sister, 14-year-old Jennie.
Ashley, 43, said she knows the family were very lucky, and revealed that it made her very aware of the challenges faced by people who contract the illness.
She added: "We were very lucky that Monty got better. I will count my lucky stars every day for that.
"I know others are not so lucky.
"The whole experience made me much more aware of limb loss. It really opened my eyes to what other people go through.
"It set my life on a whole new trajectory."
She added: "I realised that there was nothing happening here in Scotland and decided to start an amputee football charity for myself.
"I contacted the Scottish Football Association, and they were happy for me to go ahead.
"It went so well that I quit my job and took eight months out to start the charity."
AFAS provides amputees of all ages across Scotland with the opportunity to participate in football at grassroots, national and international level.
The national team took part in the Amputee Football Nations League in 2023, and played in the European Championships in 2024.
In her role, she helps to overhaul the opportunities, expansion, awareness, and perception of disability football in Scotland, resulting in the organisation winning prestigious awards from UEFA and the World Football Summit.
Ashley is one of only two women who sit on the Scottish FA's Non-Professional Game Board, where she has the opportunity to champion the rights of the disabled football community.
She is also a member of the Scottish Football Congress.
Ashley sits on UEFA's new disability focus group and is a member of the Scottish Government's cross-party group on the future of football in Scotland.
She has also been named as a finalist in Scottish Women in Sport Awards (SWISA), in the 'Inspiration in Sport' category.
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The determined mum-of-two said she's 'very proud' of how the charity is growing, and how it's helping to enhance the lives of amputees and their families all over Scotland.
Ashley added: "We've done some wonderful things and there some amazing stories of people we've helped play.
"A lot of the players have become my friends over the years.
"I'm really very proud that we've managed to replicate something that was happening in other countries, but for some reason wasn't happening in Scotland."
Ashley said she believes everyone in society should have the opportunity to participate in football, regardless of ability, and wants to raise awareness of the great work the charity does.
She added: "One of the challenges we face is that there are not many amputees in Scotland, so finding them and reaching out can be very difficult.
"We would love to raise awareness of what we're doing and bring in more players.
"When people have an amputation, many think their life is over and they will never play sport, but that is not the case.
"We show people that you can wear a Scotland top and go out and represent your country on the national stage."
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