The memory of a popular man from Kensington who died of leukaemia has inspired friends and family to fundraise for the hospital that treated him.
Lee Blowers died in December after losing an 18-month battle with cancer. During that period he spent much of his time at Hammersmith Hospital where he received treatment.
Now his friends and family played in a charity football match named in honour of the 34-year-old and helped raise £8,061 for the hospital, in Du Cane Road, near White City.
The Lee Blowers Memorial Trophy was played in Essex in May and was followed by a charity auction and charity.
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Close pal Mike Cawston said Lee would have been happy with their efforts. He said: “Lee was convinced he was going to beat the disease.
"Even when he had setbacks he was really positive about it. That was just the way he was.
“At one point, when he looked like he was in remission, he wanted to give something back to the hospital but he got ill again pretty quickly.
“After he died, we decided we wanted to do it for him. I think Lee would be happy with the amount we have raised. He spoke so highly about the ward and how well he was cared for.”
Money raised will go to Imperial College Healthcare Charity, which raises money for research, equipment and projects at the five hospitals of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust including Hammersmith Hospital.
It said every penny raised in Lee’s honour will directly benefit and enhance the care environment for patients in Dacie ward in the Catherine Lewis Centre at Hammersmith Hospital, which treats a wide range of blood-related diseases and cancer.
Lee grew up in Latchington, Essex before moving to Kensington, and worked as a retoucher for fashion company Net-a-Porter in Shepherd’s Bush.
More than 50 people took part in the match, played between Latchington FC and a specially former Latchington Legends team. The Legends won 3-2 and received the Lee Blowers Memorial Trophy.
The fundraiser is set to become an annual event and a trophy will be given to the winning side every year.
Last year friends cycled to a challenging mountain route in France in memory of their friend who died and was treated at Hammersmith Hospital .
Click here for more information about the charity.
