Eric Wright Facilities Management and its supply chain partners from across the North West laced up their boots to help raise over £5,000 for charity.
Twenty-two teams took part in the 6-a-side tournament at Belvedere Football Club, with
- Champion League Winners (First Place) – Unique Clean
- Gold League Winners (Second Place) – Belvedere FC (A Team)
- Silver League Winners (Third Place) – Eric Wright Water
- Bronze League Winners (Fourth Place) – Darwen Electrical
A total of £2,690.55 was raised on the day, with the Eric Wright Charitable Trust match funding the amount to take the overall total to £5,190.55
All the money raised has been donated to Wythenshawe Hospital ECMO Funds through Wythenshawe Hospital Charity in memory of Ethan Hunt, a local Burnley lad. Ethan was 16 when he fell ill in February this year, it was initially thought he had flu but soon suffered a cardiac arrest and slipped into a coma. People across Burnley rallied to support Ethan and his family after his legs were amputated to save his life. Unfortunately in March, Ethan sadly passed away at Wythenshawe Hospital with his parents and sister at his bedside.
Through our charity football event we wanted to raise as much money as possible for Wythenshawe Hospital Charity to help families such as Ethan’s to stay with their loved ones whilst in hospital.
Ethan’s family were involved right from the start in joining our committee to organise the event and his friends even joined together to enter a team. It was a tremendous team effort from Eric Wright Facilities Management, Ethan’s family, and over 32 supply chain partners and local businesses who either took part in the event or kindly donated raffle prizes. Belvedere and Calder Vale Sports Club gave us free use of their facilities and Burnley FC in the Community who we are Bronze Patrons for sponsorship of the Turf Works programme supported us with equipment and volunteers – we even managed to bag an honorary visit from Bertie Bee the Burnley FC Mascot!
Ethan’s sister, Jodie-Leigh speaking at the event, said: “We are so grateful for the support of Eric Wright and so many local people. We know that the money raised will help support many families who are experiencing what we faced. We now hope to set up our own charity in Ethan’s name and our future goal is to honour his memory with a lodge for bereaved parents to use”
Diane McKinley, chartered building surveyor from Eric Wright Facilities Management, added: “This was all for a great cause and we want to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part and contributed donations and their time and especially to Ethan’s family for their support.
“The money raised along with that from our recent charity golf day supporting Derian House, totals more than £9,000, showing our commitment to support the communities and causes that sit closely to our staff and projects.”
Penny Hamer, Senior Corporate Fundraising Manager for Wythenshawe Hospital Charity said “We’re incredibly thankful to all the employees at Eric Wright Facilities Management for raising such a fantastic amount for our hospital at their charity football event. The fundraising is a lovely tribute to Ethan and will make a big difference to poorly patients treated at Wythenshawe Hospital.”
