Annual 'Dads and Lads' football games - Beatrice Allen Memorial Trophy and fundraising

In November 1999 Beatrice Allen the daughter of Luke and Amelia Allen, members of York 2nd Ward church, was born and immediately transferred into the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) here in York . Such was the care that she received during those first few hours and days that it was decided that a charity football match would be organised between the members of the York Wards and those in the Hull Stake, with a view to raising money for the SCBU at York District Hospital. The first football match therefore took place on Boxing Day 1999 and has continued every year on the same day (except in 2006 when a rock hard frost and fog prevented play) with the following records being kept.

For the first three years games were organised against members from the Hull and Leeds Stakes after which we reverted to a game between dads versus lads which has continued to the present. I believe that the three oldest players on the dad's side are John Gore, Peter Witcherly and Bobby Chandler. As a rough estimate I believe over 250 different individuals have played over the years with John Gore, David Richardson and myself playing every minute of every match.

As you can see we play for a cup which was kindly donated and is inscribed: "The Beatrice Allen Memorial Trophy" and which is presented to the winning captain after every match. Every game has been competitive yet played in good spirit and at present the dads find themselves still one match in front in terms of games won, with this year's match being a classic six all draw! As a footnote and purely for fun we often have a penalty shootout afterwards and the dads have never been beaten as a result of a penalty shootout. Current young men such as Angus Richardson and Matteo Bortone ,who were brought to the first few matches as babes in arms, are now  part of a rich heritage of giving and contributing.

Sadly, Beatrice passed away in May 2000 but it is an absolute fact that during her short life Beatrice and her wonderful family had a profound effect on everyone in the York 2nd Ward . Staff nurse Taylor and other members of her SCBU team were able to bring Beatrice to a church Sacrament service in February 2000 for a ordinance of a name and a blessing. I cannot remember a time when I felt the spirit of the Holy Ghost more strongly. 

It is a pleasure to be involved every year raising funds for the special care baby unit in York. I wish I could give an accurate value to the amount of money that has been raised as a result of the football match. I believe it to be in excess of £10,000 split between various charities over the 17 years and for the first time this year it has been decided that we will be better organised by providing all members with an opportunity to sponsor the match via a just giving page.

Personally ,and I hope like many others, this annual events is one of the highlights of my calendar year and I am already looking forward to playing on Boxing Day 2017. In a small way we are year in year out delivering on what our Saviour Jesus Christ would want when he prophetically stated, "Suffer the little children to come unto me".

Thank you to everyone who helps keep this event relevant and fresh.

Kind regards,

Garry Horwell