The charity match was held in memory of Gracie Gray who died in 2019
By The Nexus Gazette.
August 26, 2024
A heartwarming charity football match in Tenterden has left the Gray family “over the moon” after raising more than £3,300 in memory of their beloved baby daughter, Gracie Gray. The event, organized by Mel and Alex Gray, was held to mark what would have been Gracie’s fifth birthday and to support the East Kent Hospitals Charity.
Gracie Gray was born prematurely in 2019, arriving 10 weeks early and facing immediate health challenges. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy following brain seizures, Gracie’s short life was marked by the relentless care of the medical team at William Harvey Hospital in Ashford. Despite their best efforts, Gracie passed away at just three months old, leaving her family devastated. To honor her memory and express their gratitude, Mel and Alex Gray began holding an annual charity football match on Gracie’s birthday.
This year’s charity football match took place at Wittersham Sports Field, drawing an outpouring of support from the local community. Initially setting a fundraising target of £1,000, the Grays were astonished and deeply moved to surpass that goal, ultimately raising around £3,300. The funds will be donated to the East Kent Hospitals Charity, with a focus on supporting the Tiny Toes charity, which aids families with children in neonatal intensive care.
The match raised money for the East Kent Hospitals Charity
Mel Gray expressed her heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of the event, saying, “They couldn’t have done any more for us, as a family as well.” The support from the community extended beyond just financial contributions; it provided emotional strength for the Grays and their son Louie, who was eight years old at the time of Gracie’s passing.
Alex Gray, who wore a number 19 shirt to symbolize the date of Gracie’s birth and death, shared how much it meant to be able to take Gracie home with the help of specialist equipment provided by the hospital. “It meant the world to us,” Alex said, reflecting on the significance of the care and compassion they received during their most challenging times.
The overwhelming success of this year’s charity football match has strengthened the Grays’ commitment to making it an annual tradition. They plan to continue holding the event each year, ensuring that Gracie’s legacy lives on and that other families facing similar challenges receive the support they need.
“Our goal is to keep giving back to the community and the hospital that gave us so much during those difficult months,” Mel Gray said. The family’s efforts serve as a powerful reminder of the enduring impact of love, community, and remembrance.
Resources:
1.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpdl216394qo
2.https://www.yahoo.com/news/family-over-moon-charity-football-160042751.html
3.https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpdl216394qo
4.https://hawkfanatic.com/2021/03/29/iowa-announces-moon-family-endowment/