The wife of former Bury FC captain Martyn Forrest has thanked fans after they raise thousands of pounds in his memory at a charity tournament and auction.
On Friday, July 1, Bury AFC Women’s recreational club organised an in-house football tournament in memory of ex-Bury player Martyn Forrest who died last week aged 43 after suffering with a brain tumour.
The tournament was organised by the club and Martyn’s sister Charlotte, who plays for one of its teams, in aid of Brain Tumour Research, the charity supported by Martyn’s family.
Almost 90 women from each of Bury AFC’s five recreational womens' teams took part in mixed team seven-a-side matches, with women of all ages showing unity and playing in the best of spirits.
The event raised more than £500 and was accompanied by a brilliant team effort by members of the Bury AFC fundraising committee, who stepped in on very short notice to organise a huge raffle and auction.
Pieces of Bury FC and Bury AFC signed merchandise were very generously donated by kind-hearted residents of the town for the auction where a Martyn Forrest signed shirt sold for more than £400.
During that week, the final figure raised came to £4,250.
Head of women’s football at Bury AFC, Casey Lynchey, said: “Friday was a huge success and not only was it lovely to see so many women honouring Martyn with a minutes applause, it was a great opportunity for our teams to mix up and regardless of age or ability, play together and just enjoy themselves.
"The amount raised for the family’s chosen charity in less than a week was just phenomenal and couldn’t have been done without the relentless work of Kirsty, Sam, John, Warren and Tania from the Bury AFC fundraising team.
"We are all just really proud to have been able to do our bit to show our support.
"The tournament too celebrated the end to an amazing season which has seen the club enter five teams into Manchester FAs recreational women’s league in it’s inaugural season.
"Ex-Bury player Jason Jarrett attended to present medals to the end of season award winners as well as to all the women for their participation during the season as well as to end of season award winners.
"Jason always shows his support for the club and has even been down and coached some of the teams during the season.
"He is such a positive role model and ambassador for football in the town and we’re really grateful for his support too.”
Martyn’s wife Lisa, who also attended the event with members of Martyn family said: “I would just like to thank all the people that donated raffle prizes and purchased raffle tickets, it was a great success and a large amount of money has been raised.
“A big thank you also to the people that organised the raffle.
“Since Martyn passed away last week I have been overwhelmed by the messages and donations and even the number of minute silences and applauses that have been made.
"Thank you again.”
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