Teams of fundraising footballers laced up their boots as they took on a charity challenge in memory of much-loved Kelly Jackson.
The Donnington woman, who was born with spinal cord condition spina bifida, died in April 2020.
She would have marked her 40th birthday this year
A memorial fund set up in her memory has already raised £42,000 to put towards a specially-adapted caravan in Weymouth.
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And on Sunday, eight seven-a-side teams descended on Blackbird Leys leisure centre for a football tournament aimed at adding to the charity fund’s total.
As well as the football, fundraisers could enjoy fairground rides, music and even an ice cream.
Organiser Barrie Evans, 44, said: “Football always brings people together.”
He said the event was an opportunity to celebrate Kelly’s life, describing her as ‘one of those people whom everyone knew’, and thanked those who had helped make the event a success - including leisure centre operators Fusion Lifestyle for use of the 3G football pitches and Speedy Hire for supplying a generator.
Mum Linda Jackson, 63, was among those cheering on the footballers on Sunday - and even handed out prizes to the winning team.
“Kelly was bubbly, she chatted to everybody, and she did a lot of fundraising. We thought we’d carry on her legacy and set up a charity group in her name,” Ms Jackson said of her daughter.
The memorial fund’s ambition is to purchase a fully kitted out static caravan in Weymouth, specially adapted for those with wheelchairs and their families.
The Dorset seaside town was a particular favourite for Kelly and her family, visiting the holiday resort every year.
For more information about upcoming fundraising events and to donate, visit: kellyjacksonmemorialfund.co.uk.
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