When Lewis Marsh died in May 1998 it sent shock waves around the community. Sandhurst has grown from the small village it once was, but it has retained the community spirit. Lewis had played football for the team my husband managed at the local football club. He also played tennis and had gone to a local primary school so he had touched and met many people in his life.
At his funeral I read about CRY on the back of the service sheet. I was a mother of three sporting boys and was shocked by what I read. I talked to a family friend who was also the Chairman of the football club. We both felt something should be done, and with the blessing of the Marsh family had a meeting with Alison Cox – Founder of CRY. The Lewis Marsh Fund began.
This is of course history now that has been told many times. The Fund took off in a big way – the Mayor of Bracknell Forest made it his charity of the year. We quickly raised enough money to fund an ongoing ECG programme in the area.
But what has been amazing has been the continual support of the football club. Every year they stage a tournament at the beginning of the season – The Lewis Marsh Friendly Tournament. Not a 5-side-tournament, but for complete teams depending on their age groups. It is incredibly popular, and each year hundreds of young people come together in the name of sport.
The work involved in bringing this together is incredible. It has evolved from paper pushing to the internet – the computer has taken some of the hard work away but not all. Teams are turned away such is its popularity. Conduct rules are strict and the atmosphere is wonderful – everyone together to enjoy their sport.
And myself and the Lewis Marsh Team are there with our tombola stall and information on CRY – but most importantly with the ECG machines – testing youngsters. We do not charge individuals – we use the money donated to us from the tournament.
Since 1998 the Fund has raised over £93,000 for CRY. We have purchased three ECG machines; the portable Echo machine used at the CRY cardiology unit at Northwick; and a defibrillator for the CRY mobile screening unit. Plus – tested over 600 young people.
So thank you Sandhurst Town Boys and Girls Football Club for you help and support and commitment to CRY. We hope we will be able to continue to test at the tournament for many more years.
We do not restrict our ECG testing to young people competing in the tournament – we make it available to everyone. However we do ask for a donation, if possible, from those not involved. So please do not hesitate to contact either myself or the club if you would like to either enter the tournament or have an ECG test.
The club website is www.stbgfc.co.uk or you can e-mail myself at [email protected]
Sally Reid
Lewis Marsh Fund Manager
