by Alan Quick

CREDITON United Football Club First Team Manager Matt Trenaman and his partner, Gemma Salmon, a teacher at Bow Community Primary School, who organised a 37-hour marathon football match, auction and fun day for the charity, Kicks Count, in memory of their daughter, Lily, say they are “thrilled” with the generosity of the public, which has helped raise more than £20,000, to-date.

The couple suffered the heartbreaking loss of losing their daughter, who was sadly born stillborn at 37 weeks, earlier this year.

In order to raise awareness, and money for Kicks Count, a UK registered charity that aims to empower mums to be with knowledge and confidence throughout their pregnancy, the couple organised the special fundraising event, which took place last weekend.

Matt told the “Courier” afterwards: “We wish to thank everyone who helped make the Kick for Lily event such a great success.

“Although we won’t know the exact figure for a couple more weeks we are sure to have raised more than £20,000!

“We really do appreciate all the support we’ve received during the last six months and we’re so proud that our little girl will forever be associated with an event that really did bring the best out of our community and raise so much money and awareness for Kicks Count.

“The 37-hour football match was far more gruelling than anyone and certainly I expected – there were literally broken bones, pulled muscles, blood, sweat and even tears at the end!

“However, we managed to complete the match and for that all the players deserve enormous credit. We also wish to thank all the officials that kindly agreed to give up their time to referee at all times of the day and to the many volunteers who helped out on the line throughout.

“The fun day on Saturday was fantastic and it was overwhelming to see so many people come down and support the event. Again, there are so many people we are grateful to that helped take part in the organising and running of the fun day.”

Gemma added: “The lads who played football gave it their all and their commitment and drive was phenomenal and saw them through the most difficult hours when they could have easily thrown in the towel!

“They dug deep and made it through the 37-hours and I am so so proud of them for doing that for us, and for Lily - I can’t thank them enough for putting their bodies through that!”

Gemma explained that the Fun Day, held around the pitch on Saturday, including the raffle, made about £8,000 towards the total, which she described as “an incredible amount”.

Gemma added: “It shows what a supportive community we have here in Crediton. All the raffle prizes were donated by local businesses. 

“Many people commented on the "community spirit" that they felt during the weekend and Chris Gillard’s “Facebook” page summed it up for me: ‘After 40 years at Lords Meadow I must say that the Kick for Lily weekend must be one of the most memorable events at Crediton United Football Club... There are some things that you remember for the rest of your lives. This will be one of them’.”

The final score in the match was 206 to the Pinks and 180 to the Blues.

The signed Will Greenwood England shirt was sold for £720 and the signed Harry Ellis England shirt for £146.

If you would like to donate to the fundraising, please do so on-line at: www.justgiving.com/Matthew-Trenaman .