A FUN football fundraiser is being held in memory of Ben Smith; a Melksham teenager who died two years ago after being assaulted on a night out in Bath.
The event, on Sunday 28th April at Oakfield Stadium, home of Melksham Town FC, is being held to raise funds for charities that supported the family, after Ben died.
Charities the day will raise funds for are: The Ben Saunders Foundation, which raises money for children and young adults with cancer; SmileForJoel, a fundraising charity supporting families torn apart by murder and terrorism; and One Punch UK, which raises awareness about the devastation one punch can cause.
“We as a family and friends are organising this event and hope it will be a yearly thing,” says Ben’s mum, Rachel Smith. “It will be entrance by donation and people can purchase a raffle ticket for £1. The two teams playing will be Ben’s old Melksham town team vs Alex (Ben’s brother) old Melksham team and there will be a cup for the winning team.”
Officiating the match is top Premier League referee, Sam Allison, a Melksham local and former George Ward School student, who recently made history as the Premier League’s first black referee in 15 years; he was also awarded a Kings Award for Fire Service in this year’s New Year Honours List.
“Hopefully there will also be a band in the sky bar after the game and some form of bouncy castle or blow-up goal shoot during half-time for the children and there will be food vans and cupcakes for sale,” explained Rachel.
At six years old, Ben started football with Melksham Town Football’s youth team, which he continued for many years.
Rachel explained, “Ben was only out that night looking after the girls and sadly, doing that cost him his life. As Ben’s parents, brother and grandmother, our lives are broken because he is no longer with us. One thing we can say, from us and all that knew Ben, is that we are extremely proud of what Ben stood for that night. It cost him his life but he was doing what he always did, which was looking after others and doing the right thing.
“We are organising this in memory of our son, who should still be here. We have not been given justice for his death and we wish to support the charities that supported us by remembering him and doing what he loved, which was football.”
Rachel added, “Thank you to Melksham Town Football Club for letting us use the facilities free of charge.”
Gates open at 12pm and kick off is at 2pm.
