Hashtag United's Stef Paci, stunt footballer Mike Delaney and The Voice singer Adenike Adewale support charity match
Published: 10:05, 08 June 2021
Updated: 10:14, 08 June 2021
A teenager organised a charity football game in memory of his cousin.
Tyler Diminieux, a Year 11 pupil at Haberdashers’ Aske’s Crayford Academy, in Iron Mill Lane, Crayford, set up the game in aid of SCIPS which raises funds for the special care baby unit where Archie King-Lodge was born in September 2011.
Tiny Archie arrived nine weeks early with a defect in his abdominal wall which had caused problems with the growth of his lungs.
Throughout his short life he fought hard to battle everything that came his way - viruses, infections and four major operations. But sadly Archie passed away aged five months.
Mum Geva said: “He was more perfect than life itself and he told us when enough was enough. He still to the last minute gave us the most happiness that we will ever experience.”
Cousin Tyler said: "Ever since [Archie's death] I have been passionate and dedicated to never let his memory be forgotten. I will continue to plan events and raise money for as long as I physically can. The match is my first large scale event."
Two teams of outgoing Year 11 students took part in the match. Tyler collected donations from the players involved, as well as the wider school community. So far he has raised just over £500 with donations still coming in.
Celebrity guests included Skills Academy and Youtube stunt footballer Mike Delaney and Stef Paci from Hashtag United, who volunteered their time to mentor and manage the football teams, as well as singer Adenike Adewale who was a semi-finalist on The Voice.
Mike Delaney said: “I’m very impressed at the way Tyler got this all going and the amount of support he received."
The school PTA supported the event by supplying refreshments and executive principal Steve Wheatley took part in the half-time penalty shoot-out.
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Jenni Horn