Friends Jason Ginnelly and Andy Gibson
Jason, who worked as a postman at Royal Mail Newark, died in 2017 aged just 42. He was actively involved with Holy Trinity R.C. Church football team both as a player and manager and his family, friends, team mates and work colleagues pay tribute to him through an annual football match fundraiser with the football team from Royal Mail.
When a former colleague of Jason’s from Royal Mail Newark, Andy Gibson, died suddenly of pancreatic cancer last year, the teams decided it was fitting to fundraise for a charity which was relevant to him. They chose to donate the money to Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund, because research into this cancer is significantly underfunded, and to raise awareness of this disease.
Andy’s sons Charlie (left) and Brad with mum Tina
The match, which was won by the Royal Mail team 5- 3, was played at the YMCA Sports Facility in Newark and was followed by a barbeque and raffle at the Holy Trinity Community and Partnership centre. Andy Gibson’s two sons Charlie and Brad – both players for Holy Trinity football club – chose to play for Royal Mail Newark in honour of their dad and ended up on the winning side!
Maggie Blanks, CEO of Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund said: “Pancreatic cancer receives less than 2% of national funding for cancer research, so every penny our supporters raise makes a real difference. This is a fantastic amount to raise and a lovely tribute to both Jason and Andy. I’m sure both men would have been really proud to see how much was raised to help others. We’re very grateful to everyone involved. The money will be put to great use, funding world class research by experts all over the UK to find ways to detect the disease earlier and develop new treatments.”
Marc Harvey – Holy Trinity 1st Team Manager, Rev Canon Michael O’Donoghue – Chairman of Holy Trinity Football Club, Bobby Briggs-Price Event Organiser, Brendon Richardson Royal Mail Newark Manager and Dean Gent Captain of the Royal Mail winning side