The Elliot Holmes inaugural cup was held last Saturday at the Istead Rise Community Centre playing fields to heighten awareness for Mental Health and help fund raise for the charity Mind, with over £9,000 accumulated so far. The organisers are confident of this being a successful yearly event and are encouraging more participants to get involved in the following year, to raise awareness of such an important issue.

Istead took an early lead and went 2-0 up, the invitational team scored one from Max Dancer just before half time, and then George Lewis scored a screamer midway through the second half. Istead eventually came through the victors, with two late goals from Tom Atkins and Ben Barwick to win 4-2. Ben Barwick was unlucky not to add to his tally by hitting the post towards the end of the game!
Around £800 was fundraised on the day.

Max Deakin who organised the match said afterwards
“I’m so happy that the day went as smoothly as it did. Thank you to everyone who came and helped out. It makes me happy to see so many people coming together to remember Elliott and support mental health. I hope to do it again, bigger and better next year!”.
Cllr Dibben commented “A huge thank you to all the community for playing and supporting the football match and making it a great success”.
A bench in Elliot’s memory will shortly be unveiled near to the football pitch in early to mid September.
To donate to the charity Mind in the memory of Elliot please click here