£6,000 tribute to tragic mum
AFOOTBALL club charity event raised more than £6,000 in memory of Valley mum-of-three Dawn Walker.
Bacup Borough FC hosted a day for the community to reflect and celebrate the life of Dawn, who sadly passed away on July 11, 2020, aged 38.
‘Dawn’s Day’, held on July 24, raised £6,118 for Mind UK - and last Saturday the club handed over a cheque to a representative from the mental health charity.
The event was organised by family including brother Gary Walker, with help from Borough manager Brent Peters and local gym owner Damian Moran, and was a resounding success.
On the day a football match took place between a Brent Peters XI and a Dawn XI managed by former Borough captain, Damian.
Live entertainment, face painting, raffle prizes, a children’s bouncing castle and much more allowed for a fantastic occasion to celebrate the life of Dawn and raise much needed funds.
Gary said: “It’s amazing how so many people came together and gave up their time to support ‘Dawn’s Day’.
“There are so many people I’d like to thank, but a special thank you must go to Orthoplastics of Bacup for their generous donation.
“Dawn worked there for two years as a cleaner and this donation of gratitude towards my sister’s service during her time there has allowed us to present this cheque to Mind UK.”
Despite the success of the event, Gary said he was reluctant to turn ‘Dawn’s Day’ into an annual event.
He said: “It took a great deal of organising over the past four months and it has given me a few sleepless nights because I wanted it to be perfect.
“Bacup Borough has been fantastic during that time - I’ve been on the phone to Brent countless times to ask questions and print off programmes.
“It was a wonderful feeling to see so many people come out for my sister on the 24th.
“I may say no, now, but in a few months’ time I may change my mind, let’s see.”