Emley AFC Academy sponsor The Samantha Sykes Foundation Trust is holding its annual charity ball in November and hopes to sell over 600 tickets.

The Butterfly Ball will take place on November 20 at Leeds United’s Centenary Pavilion and includes a three-course meal. 

The Samantha Sykes Foundation Trust was set up in memory of Samantha who was just 18 when she and a friend were murdered in a flat in Wakefield in 2012. A man was later jailed for 34 years.

Since the charity was founded it has helped:

To contribute to all children having an equal chance in life, no matter what their circumstances. 

To support young people who are victims or at risk of sexual exploitation through therapeutic intervention and support.

To support young people from within the care system through education, mentoring and pastoral care.

To inspire these children to believe in their own self-worth and achieve their full potential in spite of their challenging circumstances.

Emley AFC vice chairman Marcus Pound is excited about the Butterfly Ball and wants the club to continue to help the charity as much as possible.  

He said: “I personally got to know and then became close friends with Eric and Julie Sykes around five years ago, meeting them through close friends in football.

“Eric and Julie run the charity in the memory of their daughter.

“The work they do for the charity is very inspirational and something l have personally supported for a number of years now.

“The charity has been connected to the club for two years. I like to support the charity as much as possible and my role at Emley gave me the opportunity to introduce it to all at the club and everyone involved equally wanted to support the foundation.

“We believe the relationship between the charity and the club will continue to grow and be an important part of Emley Football Club into the future.

“Emley is a well known and established football club and it means a great deal to everyone at the club to be able to give this charity the additional exposure it deserves.”

Marcus and Emley chairman Andrew Painten plus a number of Emley officials will be attending the event next month. 

Tickets are available in tables of eight, 10, 12 or as single tickets from £45. Find out more about the event and purchase tickets here. 

If you would like to know more about the Samantha Sykes Foundation Trust then please click here.