GEMMA AND MATTHEW

PREVIOUS EVENTS HELD

Our first ever fundraiser for the Leukaemia Research Fund Charity began in April 1998. On this day this was the start of our 'promise' which l made to Gemma, whilst she received her treatment in hospital.

Please click on the links below to see highlights of some of our previous events held supporting this cause.

THE EARLY YEARS

2008 GOLF DAY

2008 LONDON MARATHON

Our first ever fundraiser for the Leukaemia Research Fund Charity began in April 1998.

On this day this was the start of our 'promise' which l made to Gemma, whilst she received her treatment in hospital.

This was the day we held a football day at Grays Athletic FC, Essex. Amongst the teams were local junior teams that included Woodside Colts, for whom Gemma's brother Dean (then aged 10) and a local team started off the days events.

Then as a way of a thank you, we wanted to thank all our friends who had supported the family so they all turned up and played in 2 games against Jess Conrads XI and a Martin Chivers XI . A special appearance was made by ex world boxing champion Barry McGuigan, who appeared for the friends of Gemma team, which also included Matthew's father Phillip.

The whole days football involving the celebrities was kicked off by Matthew, he loved it just to be involved and the smile on his face.

In the evening we held a disco and auction, which was donated from league teams and the day organised by close friend Coln Reid.

1999/2000 saw a different approach as this was the first of 2 annual events when we held the crazy themed It's A Knockout Days (based on the BBC series from the 70/80's) both in Benfleet. This involved using the local community and local companies to enter teams to make a fool of themselves by getting wet, wet and more wet.

The smiles this entertainment gave were never to be forgotten. But who was the first person getting wet when the games got under way...Matthew. He loved it, and so did we.

The first knockout day was held at Montgomerie School (1999) and Benfleet FC (2000) where Duncan's first meeting with local rotarian Tony Elliott from the Benfleet club took place. To this day the support of the club still remains and Duncan's company are able to support the rotary club with their fundraisers.

Other events did take place, but due to work committments it was hard to organise. So the fathers of Gemma & Matthew wanted a new challange. So Phil & Duncan came up with a charity  golf day, with Phil being a keen golfer this was our new venture.

In 2001, our 1st ever golf day saw around 12 teams go the Essex Colne Golf Club, near Colchester.

From there in 2002 we held the event at Langdon Hills, Basildon, around 16 teams participated

For the 2003 event, we decided that after Matthew's passing in 2002 that these days would be held in our special childrens memory. The 2003 event was held at Crondon Park, Stock, Essex. This event had 18 teams competing.

The 2004 event was held at the same venue, but as a corporate event run by Durrance Securities (Thurrock), this day had 20 teams turning up but the families felt that we 'lost' it in 2004, and wanted to bring it back to our friends. So we moved to our now home of  The Essex Golf Complex, Garons Park, Southend, Essex in 2005.

2006 saw our event made more special by the appearance of World Snooker Champion Peter Ebdon, this was arranged by his close friend Matt Ames, a regular supporter of this annual golf day.

2007 saw out team entries reach 24 as these golfers are all known to each other after supporting this special day in memory of Gemma & Matthew.

New friendships are developed each year as new people turn up after reading of our charity work that ensures that the 'promise' continues....and our total raised has now past £78,000

Thank you to everyone who has supported us from day 1 of our charity work which started in April 1998.

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A GREAT DAY HAD BY ALL ON THE DAY !!

GOLF AWARDS PRESENTED ON THE DAY ;

Individual Stapleford points winner - Alex Hatton (45 pts)
Individual Stapleford points r/up - Dave Tiplar (44 pts)
Individual Stapleford points 3rd place - Steve Challis (44 pts)

Team Event Winners - The Knockout Boys (Rick Hatton, Tom Hatton, Alex Hatton & Danny McCabe)

Nearest the Pin - Wayne Selley
Longest Drive - Rick Hatton

SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AWARDS ;

Kevin Challis - Supporting the cause by running the London Marathon.
Steve Challis - Designing, producing and updating website.
Castle Point Gas & Heating Ltd - Supporting the Leukaemia Research Fund.

Photo's from the day's events can be viewed on the Photo Gallery page of this site in the 2008 Golf Day Photo album.

FLORA LONDON MARATHON 2008 
KEVIN CHALLIS

SUNDAY 13th APRIL 2008

Kevin Challis from Athletico Benfleet FC (good local rivals of Duncan's Fairview Rangers from the Sceptre Sunday League) completed the Flora London Marathon last week raising money for the Leukaemia Research Charity Fund.

After many months of gruelling training, Kevin completed the course in 3 hours 38 minutes, a great effort knocking over an hour and a half off his previous run there some 10 years ago.   

In looking for a suitable charity to raise funds for, Kevin looked for a cause with local interest that was touching and could relate to. The Leukaemia Research Charity Fund fitted these atributes. As a top quality footballer the local football community provided the route into this as word quickly spreads. As an Uncle to his brother Steve's 7 year old daughter Ellie, it was a cause that Kevin could relate to.

Donations at this stage are still coming in for this great cause so a final total will still be a little while off but it goes without saying that both Kevin and the families are truly appreciative of the support in this.

Updates will be posted here as and when a figure is known regarding the amount raised.