Hundreds of balloons were released at a football match played in memory of an Uxbridge man who died in a collision earlier this year.
Around 150 of Nick Sherwood’s friends and relatives took part in the moving spectacle at the game on Saturday (April 25) – played between Morecambe FC and Wycombe Wanderers.
The Wanderers hosted the event, donating 10% of ticket revenues to Nick’s Fund, a charity set up by the football fan’s family to raise money for permanent facilities for Ickenham Youth FC to be built in his memory.
Badges with Mr Sherwood’s photograph on them were also sold at the game, raising £255 on the day.
Mr Sherwood’s mother, Heidi, a reception teacher from Ickenham, said: “It was very touching because there were so many people. It was really lovely, because he was so popular.
“He really loved football, too. He was a player and he loved to watch it, so that’s why we think it’s right that the fund represents his love of sports and helps the children in Ickenham.”
Mr Sherwood was hit by a car in Essex, on February 8, on a road where the street lights were turned off.
His 13-year-old brother, Danny, plays for Ickenham Youth FC.
The club, which was established in 2006 and now has more than 350 players aged between five and 16, currently plays its home matches in parks and school fields.
Last year, it had an application to use land at Hillingdon House Farm, off Park Road, in Uxbridge, turned down by Hillingdon Council.
Club secretary Annette McCorkell called the decision “really disappointing”, saying it took the club “back to square one”.
She added: “It’s really important we find somewhere because at the moment we don’t even have toilets. We don’t even have any tea or other facilities.
“People come from maybe an hour’s drive away and they show up and we have nothing to offer them.”
She added: “Heidi’s doing her best and everybody’s been really, really generous, but at the minute we just don’t have anywhere.”
The club is now looking for other grounds on which to potentially build facilities, which it hopes could also be used by other sports teams and youth groups.
Anyone with any ideas for land in Ickenham that could be converted or shared should email derick@htbuildingservices.co.uk.
Around £6,000 has been donated so far to Nick’s Fund, which should have an established website soon.
To donate in the meantime, send cash or cheques made payable to Ickenham Youth Football Club to Heidi Sherwood, via W Sherry and Sons, 4 Long Lane, Ickenham, Middlesex UB10 8TB.
Bank transfers can be made at Lloyds TSB, Ruislip Branch, 82 High Street, Ruislip, HA4 7AB, using the account name Ickenham Youth Football Club, Acc No: 01576398 and sort code 30-97-19. A PayPal account has also been set up.
Mrs Sherwood is asking that anyone who donates money email her at nicksfund@outlook.com, giving their name and the amount donated so she can claim Gift Aid once the fund is set up.
