UNEMPLOYED Steve Lygo came up with the idea of setting up a charity football tournament for Oxford’s Helen & Douglas House hospice while out running with his friend Luke Owen-Lovergove, 20.
And his idea came to fruition on Saturday, when families flocked to Wood Farm Community Centre, in Titup Hall Drive, for a fundraising day. Among them was two-year-old Elinor Barnes, above.
Mr Lygo, 28, of Sawpit Road, Blackbird Leys, said: “I’ve got a fair bit of time on my hands, so I thought I may as well do something useful. I wanted to do something for other people.
“Children in Need is coming up, and the majority of people give money to that, so I wanted to find a smaller charity, closer to home.”
He added: “I spent the first few days organising it on my own, but Luke and I go running most evenings and we just started talking about it.
“It just started out as an 11-a-side football match but, because of all the generous support we have received, the whole event has grown into a fun day.”
As well as football, the day included children’s activities, face-painting, a tombola and raffle and live music. Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service also let children look at a fire engine.
Mr Lygo said: “We haven’t had to spend a penny on organising it, so all the money we raise can go to charity.”
The day was expected to raise hundreds of pounds for the Magdalen Road hospice, which costs more than £4m a year to run.
Picture: Damian Halliwell
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