Battyeford Sporting Club run charity football match in Mirfield girl’s memory

The charity match was held in memory of Gracie Kerr, a little girl from Mirfield who died from the disease in February 2009, aged just two days.

Gracie’s dad, Ben, was among the competitors in the match between the club’s open age side and a ‘Legends XI’ of former players, which ended with honours even at 2-2.

Many of the players paid to take part in the game, while off the pitch a hard-working team including Gracie’s mum, Kelsey Bruce, made bacon and sausage sandwiches for the spectators.

Kelsey paid tribute to Battyeford Sporting Club’s Nigel Saddington, who organised the match.

She said: “It’s good that so many people are willing to help us raise funds. It was a great occasion and we’re very pleased with the result.

“Nigel suggested putting on the match and did all the organising, so we’re very grateful to him and everyone at the club.

“I didn’t get to see very much of the game because we were all too busy in the kitchen!”

Nigel added: “We didn’t expect to raise much more than £100, so the total was a real surprise.

“It was a very competitive match – in fact it wasn’t very friendly at times! However, everybody shook hands at the end.”

Kelsey and Ben have been raising money for the Meningitis Trust since their daughter’s death and the total currently stands at almost £20,000.

The next fundraising event will be a ball at the Holiday Inn, Brighouse, on October 6. Tickets are almost sold out but Kelsey is appealing for items to be auctioned on the night.

She said: “The last ball raised £6,000 – a lot of it from the auction – and we’re hoping to beat that this time round.

“We had a lot of donations from local businesses last time round and so anything suitable for the next one would be gratefully received.”

Anyone wishing to donate can contact Kelsey on 0774 784 6841. Alternatively, donations of money in Gracie’s memory can be made through the Meningitis Trust website.

Visit http://meningitis-trust.tributefunds.com and type in the name Gracie Louise Kerr.