Memorial event contines to raise charity funds

A CHARITY football game raised more than £2,500 in fond memory of a family friend.

Earl Shilton Albion hosted a match against a team from Notts Sports at Stoneycroft Sports and Social Club, as part of the Jack Patrick Memorial Cup.

Jack Patrick died aged 20 in late 2015 of Goodpasture disease, a rare auto-immune disease affecting the lungs and kidneys.

He organised a charity football game with his friends in aid of Help for Heroes before he passed away.

They decided to carry on the fundraising for the charity in his honour by organising similar events.

So far they have raised a total in excess of £40,000, with the Earl Shilton match adding £2,800 in donations.

Jack’s father Shaun, chairman of synthetic surfacing supplier Notts Sports, got a squad together, while Earl Shilton Albion player Ellis Hewens helped organise the event.

Ellis was a friend of Jack’s from his time at Lutterworth College, and they used to go to see Leicester City play together.

Ellis said: “He was the kind of guy that if you were on a night out, he would spend the last of his money to buy you a drink.

“He’s left a real impact, and it’s great to continue his legacy.”

Another recent event in aid of Jack’s cause was the ‘Tour de Prem’, a cycling tour of all 20 Premier League football stadiums by James Nutt, a childhood friend of Jack.

He cycled more than 1,000 miles and raised more than £11,000 on his Just Giving page.

The next event as part of the memorial cup is happening this Friday (June 16) at Lutterworth Cricket Club, where four teams will be competing.

The family event starts at 1.30pm, and there will be food and drink on offer throughout the day.

Wood & Ink will be selling his prints at the event.