How Joe keeps helping hospice in the name of Darcy ...
THE founder of an annual football tournament played in memory of six-year-old Darcy Jo Burke who died of an inoperable brain tumour in 2014 has been shortlisted for a Proud of Barnsley award.
Joe Gibbons has been organising the Darcy’s Cup tournament since it was founded in 2013 to raise funds for Darcy, of Darfield, and her family to allow them to make memories and enjoy precious time together and subsequent competitions have raised funds for Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice where Darcy spent her final days.
“At the time we were trying to get Darcy to Euro Disney and were looking at different ways of raising money in the community and the only thing I know is football so that’s how it started,” said Joe.
“We’ve raised between £15,000 and £20,000 in memory of Darcy.”
Joe was nominated by Darcy’s dad, Dave Burke who said: “The cup was the idea of a friend of mine Joe Gibbons and the initial fundraiser for the family allowed us to do so many things with Darcy.
“And then we decided that Bluebell Wood was a place we wanted to support.
“It is a fantastic place and offers so much in terms of being there for all the family.”
“He buys all the medals out of his own money and he has been tireless in his aim of getting the final played at Oakwell and this year it has paid off,” said Dave.
“Joe and his wife Joanne do so much to make it happen and this is an acknowledgement of their commitment to keeping Darcy’s memory alive.”
Joe said: “The cup is as strong as ever and we still have teams wanting to join.
“It’s a nice bonus that in its tenth year we are able to play the final at Oakwell for the first time.”