Wirral Life July 2018 | Page 22

W LW L A LASTING LEGACY FOR FOOTBALL MAD ELLIOT Youth football tournament 'The Claire House Cup' returned in June, with over 1,500 kids from across the region playing to raise just under £31,000 for their local children’s hospice. The tournament is organised by Jackie and Ian Wild in memory of their son Elliot. The football mad youngster died in 2011 at the age of nine after a brave battle with leukaemia. Elliot was cared for during his last few weeks by Claire House Children’s Hospice, making precious and treasured memories with his mum Jackie, dad Ian and younger brother Finley, now 12. “Claire house supported us through the most distressing time of our lives from helping us with funeral arrangements, how to tell our son Finley who was five years old at the time and how to answer his questions. Bereavement councillors were there to support us every day, and they still are seven years on,” said Jackie. Claire House Children’s Hospice offers care to children with serious and terminal illnesses, as well as support for their entire family. Through expert nursing care, therapies and experiences, the hospice helps bring back a sense of normality to family life. “As a family we wanted to create a lasting legacy for Elliot, he loved football, it was his life, playing it, watching it and he loved going to Anfield at any opportunity to watch his beloved Reds. Elliot was mad about football, so seeing children having a wonderful weekend of footballing fun at the Claire House Cup, whilst raising vital funds for Claire house and remembering our cherished son Elliot is amazing.” 22 wirrallife.com Now in its seventh year, the Claire House Cup has raised £145,400.42 and to date a grand total of over £280,000 has been raised in Elliot’s name. This year saw over 152 teams from across Merseyside and Cheshire take to the pitches at to Wirral Rugby Club for two full days of football. The Claire House Cup takes Jackie and a team of her friends and family just over six months to organise. “When I stood there and seen the fabulous set up and everyone having a fantastic time it’s worth every second of the organising. We would like to thank all of our family, friends, work colleagues, event sponsors Bagnall and Morris, trophy sponsors Neston Building Supplies, JM Recruitment who organise the tournament and Ray Redmond from Everton Academy, they support us every year and we wouldn’t be able to do it without them,” said Jackie. Gillian Nove, Director of Income Generation at Claire House, said: “Claire House is currently only reaching one in two of the children that need our support. With the help of wonderful events like the Claire House Cup we can continue to reach out to even more seriously ill children who desperately need our help. “The Claire House Cup is such a great weekend of fun and the atmosphere is brilliant for everyone. We were delighted that the sun came out again this year! Jackie and her family, as well as all the volunteers and sponsors, work so hard to make sure it is an amazing weekend, so we’d like to thank everyone who makes the event possible.” If you would like to find out more about the Claire House Cup or the work that Claire House does visit www.clairehouse.org.uk.