More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
A group of friends have arranged a charity match in memory of their friend who died in a quad bike accident in Greece.
Jack Howe, of Townsend Square, Kings Hill, was involved in the crash while on holiday with friends in Zante on June 21.
Friends and family of the 19-year-old have come together to organise a football match at the Gallagher Stadium, home to Maidstone United Football Club, to raise money for a charity set up in his honour, #JackTheLad.
Harrison Hatfull, from Kendall Avenue, Kings Hill, along with his friends Max Stanton-Gleaves, George Toyne, Matt Bell, Ethan Rutherford and Sophia Matthew, decided to set up the match to give something back for Jack.
Mr Hatfull said: "Instead of donating ten quid to the charity we wanted to do something to raise as much money as possible and do our part."
Jack loved football and was a keen Tottenham Hotspur fan, so the group thought it would be only right to host a match in his honour.
Aided with help from family members and charitable donations, they have organised the event which takes place on Friday.
Mr Hatfull, who went to Mascalls Academy in Paddock Wood with Jack, said: "Jack and I played football together and saw each other most weekends, we were always with each other.
"It was such a shock when I heard, it still doesn't feel real."
The pals anticipate more than 1,000 people will attend the match, the majority of which knew Jack during his life.
All proceeds from entry fees and the raffle will go to the family's charity and shirts with the #JackTheLad logo will be available to purchase for £10 each.
The event will see Jack's friends go head to head in a Maidstone vs Kings Hill match featuring 40 players.
Mr Hatfull, who plays for Margate Football Club's first team, will kick off the match and spend the rest of the evening speaking to people who attend.
He said: "Jack would have loved the event and would have wanted to play in the match, he was the most competitive one."
The gates open at 6.30pm and visitors will pay £5 entry on the gate, which includes a #JackTheLad wristband.
Jack's family have also set up a JustGiving page calling for greater awareness on the dangers of hitting "unsafe" quad bikes while abroad.
The Howe family said: "We’ll remember our lovely son and brother Jack and his energy and passion for life every single day.
"We will do all we can, through #JackTheLad, the charity that we are setting up, and through the fund-raising events we will hold, to prevent accidents such as the one Jack suffered happening to other families
"We’re so grateful to Jack’s amazing group of friends for arranging Friday’s football match as the very first #JackTheLad Fundraising event - and hope as many people as possible will come along and join us to support their teams."
