A TIDY sum was raised at the recent Cumbria Men’s League clash between Aspatria Hornets and Glasson Rangers for very worthy local charities.
Ben Challis, who among his many talents is a local snapper, told League Express: “£6,000 was raised for the Eden Valley Hospice and for the Jigsaw, Cumbria Children’s Hospice.
“This incredible charity provides outstanding care to local adults and children with life-limiting conditions in North Cumbria.”
Challis continued: “I was actually first approached by Ellis Holliday, who is a fantastic young Hornets player and has played for the England Community Lions from Under 16 upwards.
“Ellis is in the Lions Under 19 squad for the upcoming European Championship in France. He and his family are lovely – and very involved with the Hornets.
“Ellis’ dad Richard is one of the Hornets’ open-age coaches. Mum Kirsty is the team physio. Ellis had previously completed a sponsored half marathon for the hospice, running with his ‘Auntie Dan’ (Danielle, his mum Kirsty’s sister) and that raised £2,000 in February.
“Ellis and Danielle both ran in memory of Kirsty and Danielle’s friend Andrea Bell, and it was Andrea who was the key to Aspatria choosing the Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw as their charity for their first-ever charity day.
“For her final ten days, Andrea was cared for at the hospice. She has been described as a kind and caring person and that ‘she had the most wonderful smile that brightened any room she walked into’.”
Aspatria Hornets chairman Mark Ridley said: “One of our ex-players (and now committee member) David ‘Abbs’ Abram’s partner Katy’s sister Andrea Bell sadly contracted cancer twice and passed away ten months ago.
“She spent her last days at the Eden Valley Hospice, where she received tremendous care from all the staff.
“We really wanted to do something for them and give something back. It was mooted at a committee meeting and snowballed from there.
“We designed a special shirt which both our players and supporters wore. We sold more than two hundred shirts and we had the Digi-van filming the junior games and live-streaming the match.
“Local burger and ice cream vans, a bouncy castle and a fabulous raffle with some great prizes, plus a really successful race night in the evening, made it a great day.”
Mark Elliott, of Eden Valley Hospice, said: “It costs £6million a year to keep the hospice running, and just 18 percent of that comes from the NHS, so fundraising is essential.”
Challis concluded: “The day was absolutely brilliant and I was very proud of what the Hornets organised, and with what they achieved.
“It was great that Glasson really got into the day too, bringing their own mascots and juniors, and lots of supporters.”