Bacup Borough Stage 'Dawns Day' Fundraiser
Tue 27th July 2021 | Bacup Borough | By Gary Langley
On Saturday Bacup Borough FC played host to a fundraising event to raise valuable funds for Mind UK and remember the life of local woman, Dawn Walker who sadly passed away last year. Bacup Borough Media Manager Steve Brown of Steve Brown Media takes up the story....
The local community of the Rossendale Valley came out in numbers to reflect and celebrate the life of Dawn, who regularly hired out the facilities at the club for her children’s birthday parties. Over the past four months, Dawn’s brother, Gary Walker has been liaising with the borough manager Brent Peters in order to create this special day and with the help of family and friends it was certainly a day to remember.
Along with live entertainment and a children’s bouncing castle a charity football match took place with former Bacup Borough FC captain, Damian Moran leading out a Dawn XI made up of local players and former players of Brent Peters.
It was also an opportunity for the borough manager to dust down his boots with a cameo performance which brought a rapturous applause from the large crowd inside the Brian Boys Stadium. And to cap it all off the manager was joined on the field by his 11 year old grandson, Harley, who seems to be following in grandad’s footsteps with his passion for the game.
Talking to the manager after the match he said. “This is what it is all about for a club like Bacup Borough. Helping local causes and being a part of the community is why we’ve been in existence since 1879. Everybody that has come today seems to have enjoyed the occasion.” Brent also wanted to express his support towards the family of Dawn. “It has been a pleasure to work with Gary over these past few months in making sure everything was ready for the big day. Lots of phone calls and whatsapp messages were exchanged between each other, but making this day special for Dawn was massively important for the club. Not only have we put on a good show but also made new friends that may just come back during the season and cheer on the lads in the league.”
We also had the opportunity to talk to the former captain at Bacup Borough, Damian Moran, who played many years under Peters. “It was great to be a part of this day. Coming back to the club that I have so many fond memories of was brilliant. As soon as Gary asked me to manage the Dawn XI I didn’t hesitate for a second in saying yes. I live in the area, I have a gymnasium in the town, so supporting Dawn’s Day was a no brainer for me. I am really happy that hundreds of people have come out in support of such a fantastic cause.”
The event started at midday and all monies raised will go to Mind UK, a charity that provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They also campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.
Catching up with the organiser, Gary Walker. He wanted to thank the local community for coming out in support. “It’s been great. I want to thank the club and all the staff for making this happen. I also need to thank Damian for putting together Dawn’s XI and for the local community for supporting the day. I do need to mention Brent for putting up with a lot over the past few months with my consistent whatsapp messages and demands, but he has been fantastic throughout. The club has been top notch from start to finish. Thank you from all my family.
Bacup Borough Stage 'Dawns Day' Fundraiser
Tue 27th July 2021 | Bacup Borough
By Gary Langley
On Saturday Bacup Borough FC played host to a fundraising event to raise valuable funds for Mind UK and remember the life of local woman, Dawn Walker who sadly passed away last year. Bacup Borough Media Manager Steve Brown of Steve Brown Media takes up the story....
The local community of the Rossendale Valley came out in numbers to reflect and celebrate the life of Dawn, who regularly hired out the facilities at the club for her children’s birthday parties. Over the past four months, Dawn’s brother, Gary Walker has been liaising with the borough manager Brent Peters in order to create this special day and with the help of family and friends it was certainly a day to remember.
Along with live entertainment and a children’s bouncing castle a charity football match took place with former Bacup Borough FC captain, Damian Moran leading out a Dawn XI made up of local players and former players of Brent Peters.
It was also an opportunity for the borough manager to dust down his boots with a cameo performance which brought a rapturous applause from the large crowd inside the Brian Boys Stadium. And to cap it all off the manager was joined on the field by his 11 year old grandson, Harley, who seems to be following in grandad’s footsteps with his passion for the game.
Talking to the manager after the match he said. “This is what it is all about for a club like Bacup Borough. Helping local causes and being a part of the community is why we’ve been in existence since 1879. Everybody that has come today seems to have enjoyed the occasion.” Brent also wanted to express his support towards the family of Dawn. “It has been a pleasure to work with Gary over these past few months in making sure everything was ready for the big day. Lots of phone calls and whatsapp messages were exchanged between each other, but making this day special for Dawn was massively important for the club. Not only have we put on a good show but also made new friends that may just come back during the season and cheer on the lads in the league.”
We also had the opportunity to talk to the former captain at Bacup Borough, Damian Moran, who played many years under Peters. “It was great to be a part of this day. Coming back to the club that I have so many fond memories of was brilliant. As soon as Gary asked me to manage the Dawn XI I didn’t hesitate for a second in saying yes. I live in the area, I have a gymnasium in the town, so supporting Dawn’s Day was a no brainer for me. I am really happy that hundreds of people have come out in support of such a fantastic cause.”
The event started at midday and all monies raised will go to Mind UK, a charity that provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They also campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.
Catching up with the organiser, Gary Walker. He wanted to thank the local community for coming out in support. “It’s been great. I want to thank the club and all the staff for making this happen. I also need to thank Damian for putting together Dawn’s XI and for the local community for supporting the day. I do need to mention Brent for putting up with a lot over the past few months with my consistent whatsapp messages and demands, but he has been fantastic throughout. The club has been top notch from start to finish. Thank you from all my family.
