The return of a popular charity football match has raised thousands of pounds for various local mental health initiatives in memory of a popular teen.

More than 400 spectators turned out on Saturday to watch the return of the Elliott Holmes Memorial Cup at the Istead Rise Recreation Ground.

The event was first held last year in memory of the former Meopham Secondary School pupil who took his own life in June the same year, aged 19.

In the wake of his death,family and friends shared touching tributes and took part in a balloon release.

This year the charity event returned in new format with a wider variety of stalls and two more matches added to the line-up, incorporating dads and grandads into the fold.

The day was officially opened by retired GP and Deputy Lieutenant of Kent, Dr Bhargawa Vasudaven.

Known locally in Gravesend as Vasu, the former medic has, for many years, actively been campaigning to get better and faster access to health services.

He delivered a touching speech on what we can be achieved working as a community and the importance of sport and outdoor activities to improve mental health.

The sporting event kicked off with a fixture between the grandads and Istead Rise 7, made up of Elliott's friends and former team mates.

And although a staggering 285 years separated the sides the seniors were by no means a push over.

In the end a deflected goal proved the only difference and Istead Rise 7 ran out 1-0 victors with Kai Holmes, Elliott’s cousin and honorary captain for the day, lifting the trophy.

Scott Thomas, organiser of the event, said: “It was touch and go. If it went to penalties, it could have been an embarrassing result for us.”

Next up were the dads.

Fitness proved the key difference and resulted in a comfortable 5-1 win for the Istead Rise side.

The main 11-aside match saw Istead Rise face off against a team from the Meopham Railway Tavern.

Before the match got underway a one-minute silence was held to remember Elliott Holmes and all those who have sadly taken their own life while suffering with their mental health.

A late goal by Istead Rise resulted in a 1-0 win for the home team and meant they lifted the Elliott Holmes Memorial Cup for the second year running.

In total £2,384 was raised with the money split between Honour and Glory, a boxing Gym helping young people suffering with mental health, The Istead Rise Park Project, to encourage children to mix and take part in outdoor activities, and a new project set up by Elliott's step-dad Peter Scutts.

The Elliott Holmes Memorial Fund (EHMF) was launched at the event and has been created to help support the wellbeing of young people in the local community.

Peter hopes to work with local primary and secondary schools to fund and fast track students identified as suffering with such issues.

Their target is to help ten students by raising £7,000 in the first year.

They are also looking for local businesses in the community to join forces and become a EHMF partner in helping fight mental health on a local level.

If you would like to take part, then simply email Peter Scutts at support@ehmf.org.uk.

For more information or if you would just like to donate to the Elliott Holmes Memorial Fund then click here.

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