Young footballers help make Christmas a bit brighter on hospital ward
Team L-R: Back row: Zach Argyle, Louis Gathergood, Max Kimpton, and Henry Broadhurst. Front row: Luke Rae, Ben Yull, and Adam Elsby. - Credit: Archant
A charity football tournament raised more than £1,000 to make Christmas a little brighter for children spending the festive period in hospital.
Held on December 4, the tourna-ment took place at Eynesbury Rovers Football Club and was organised by John Flain and Tom Francis.
The pair started running the tournament in 2014 and use the funds raised to buy presents for children on ward C2 at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, in Cambridge.
The duo were inspired to launch the event by Tom’s son Leo, 12, from Eaton Socon, who spent three years in Addenbrooke’s battling bone cancer.
Leo was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in October 2013 and under-went a three-hour operation and months of treatment thereafter to help him beat the disease.
The football-mad youngster, who attends Longsands Academy, has recently elebrated the start of his third year in remission from the cancer.
But during his treatment, Leo spent time in C2 ward at Addenbrooke’s, including time over Christmas.
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The tournament featured six teams - Eynesbury Rovers, Priory Parkside, St Neots Town and Little Paxton Football Club, and the winner was Priory Parkside, beating St Neots Town on penalties.
Mr Flain said: “It truly was a great day for all. We would like to thank everybody who took part in the tournament and to everyone who has contributed to this fantastic cause.
“A big thank you to Harold Davies for the kind contribution of the awesome raffle prizes.
“Thanks to Applekleen for sponsoring the trophies. Thank you to Dennis Pope’s Engraving and to Brampton Butchers for supplying the meat, they were thoroughly
enjoyed by all. Thank you to Harry Rudling and Danny Love-Fulton for their time and excellent refereeing skills for the day.”
