Match For Heroes is back for a fourth year as people from across Huddersfield come together to watch football, raise funds for charity and remember two soldiers killed on active service in Afghanistan.
The fixture was held at Golcar United’s Skye Direct Stadium last year with around 1,200 people attending throughout the day.
The centrepiece was a match between Huddersfield Town Legends and Golcar United Legends and the day proved such a success organisers are returning to Golcar this year. Over the three events held so far £34,000 has been raised for servicemen’s charities.
This year’s Match For Heroes 4 will be held on Sunday April 23 and there will be a sponsored walk on February 4.
The matches are played in memory of 18-year-old Tom Wroe, of Meltham, and dad-of-two Sgt Gareth Thursby, 29, of Skipton. The two 3rd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment soldiers died when a rogue Afghan policeman opened fire at a checkpoint in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province in 2012.
Talking about this year’s event, organiser Jonathan Horsman said: “Over the last three events we have raised in excess of £34,000 for some fantastic charities.
“Match For Heroes 4 has been sponsored by Bond Brickwork Ltd. Danny and his team have been brilliant and after sponsoring the walk last year they have sponsored the main event this year.
“The event kicks off with another sponsored walk on February 4 which takes us from Golcar United’s Skye Direct Stadium up to Helme to visit Tom Wroe’s resting place then on to Tom’s old school in Meltham. Then down to town before picking up the canal path back up to Golcar.
“The matches at Golcar will be held on April 23 (St George’s Day) with two fantastic fixtures taking place. The Army Vets v Supporting Charities and then Huddersfield Town Legends v Golcar United Legends.
“Last year Golcar United and the people of Golcar and surrounding areas backed the event massively. We sold 1,200 tickets which was absolutely amazing. So we are going back which we haven’t done before.
“The event is in the name of all fallen soldiers and this year we have chosen two fantastic charities: Help for Homeless Veterans and Armed Forces Bikers who both help veterans and families of veterans.”
Just like in previous years the event will be filled with star-studded appearances by former Town legends. Last year Chris Billy, Darren Bullock, Efe Sodje, Dean Gorre, Matt Glennon, Rob Edwards and Clyde Wijnhard all took part in the fixture with many of them planning to return once again.
Mr Horsman added: “We once again have some top names from the Town Legends taking part and the charities’ team will have Emmerdale and Hollyoaks stars in it.
“However the Army Vets are the lads who make the event as most served with Gareth or Tom so this match means so much to them.”
If you want to find out more about the event search for the Match For Heroes 3 Facebook page.
