Kirkburton Junior FC’s annual fundraiser – the Parents’ Cup – proved to be an emotional occasion.
Parents from the junior set up form six-a-side teams and play in a mini tournament. Apart from the football there are stalls, raffles and auctions and around £3,000 was raised on the day for two charities Theirworld, a premature baby charity, and the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund.
Both charities are close to the hearts of two of the Kirkburton JFC committee members. The inspiration for the event came from committee member and coach Jon Emberton and his family whose baby son Freddie was born with heart problems two years ago.
Thankfully Freddie received some amazing care and, fast forward two years, Freddie attended the event last Saturday along with his mum Rachel and big brothers Joshua and George.
The event, held for the second time, also saw its first ever all ladies team, which was inspired to play in memory of Sarah Jayne Thomas, who tragically passed away recently.
Sarah’s son Cohen plays in the under-11s and the team in his mum’s honour was called ‘Sarah’s Angels.’ The team released 100 eco-friendly pink balloons in memory of Sarah.
There was also a minute’s silence for another mum connected to the club, Kelly Barnes, who died suddenly on July 21.
Much-loved Kelly, 45, suffered a catastrophic bleed on the brain and leaves four children Paige, Kyle, Macy and Finley and a granddaughter Connie.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help pay for fun-loving Kelly’s funeral costs and what her family describe as a “final hoorah.”
On the GoFundMe page her family says: “Anyone who knew our Kelly knows that she was the absolute life and soul of the party.
“Kelly was absolutely crazy in all best ways and was the most caring, beautiful soul, a loyal, kind and very thoughtful mother, grandma, daughter, sister, auntie and friend that you could meet.
“She absolutely loved her family and friends wholeheartedly and she would have done anything for anyone as she did on so many occasions. This amazing legacy will continue in the form of organ donation and her organs have already helped other families in need.
“It will probably not come as a huge surprise to many that whilst Kelly updated her organ donor card only a few weeks ago, she didn’t do the same with her life insurance policy.
“Instead she followed her dream and her lifelong mantra: ‘I’m here for a good time, not a long time’ although we never expected to be saying goodbye so soon.
“Our Kel could often be found in the local pub with her many friends. She knew everyone and would always be found with her favourite tipple ‘a large glass of rose.’ There truly was only one Kelly Barnes!”
Kelly’s ex-partner Robert Barnes – dad to Paige, Kyle and Macy – spoke before the tournament and led the minute’s silence.
The GoFundMe page HERE has already raised more than £11,000.
Images by Huddersfield Hub photographer: SEAN DOYLE. Scroll through a gallery of images below
