Charity football event in memory of Derry teenager looking for teams to participate

A charity event is calling for football teams to enter their seven-a-side tournament on July 27. 

The event is in memory of Oran Boyd, who passed away in November 2019, and is organised and run by his family. 

There is an entrance fee of £10 for teams wishing to participate at the event at Lettershandoney Community Centre.

The money donated will go to Young Lives Vs Cancer (YLVC), and Arnold Boyd, the father of Oran and one of the organisers, is proud to help the charity. 

She said: “Without their support when Oran was first admitted to the hospital, things for us would have been very different in many ways.

“It’s scary not knowing what's ahead when your child is diagnosed with a life-threatening or terminal illness. 

“Usually long hospital stays are involved. YLVC facilities beside Belfast City Hospital allowed us a wee bit of normal life, a home away from home.

“Our other boys were able to come and stay with us while Oran was in the hospital. Most parents stay with their child and therefore continuing their job may not be an option.

“YLVC advises and helps financially through these tough times; the home from home is a real lifesaver; it takes pressure of trying to find somewhere to stay. Bills still have to be paid at home, and other children have to be taken care of.

“We want to help support other families that are in the same situation as we were.”

This is the fourth year of the event, and there are plenty of activities alongside the football on the day. 

The day includes a raffle with various prizes, music, and activities for kids, along with the sale of memorial jerseys and one unique event. 

Mr. Boyd said: “This year we have a Cash Call. 

“There is a £250 prize should you be called, but you must answer, ‘MAKE ME A WINNER!’.”

Over the previous year, the whole community around Slaughtmanus, Tamnaherin, and Lettershandoney has got involved to keep Orans memory alive ‘for a few hours of fun and craic’ with the event scheduled around Oran’s birthday, July 23.

Everyone is welcome to come down and participate in the day, from the young to the very old, but those wishing to play in the football tournament must be over 18.

Andrena Boyd, Oran’s mother, is keen to keep his son’s spirit alive due to the impact he had within the community. 

He said: “He was very much involved in our community, working with the younger children coaching the underage. And Oran was involved in cross-community events through our local community association.

“Oran had just turned 17 when he was diagnosed with (SAA) Severe Aplastic Anaemia. Having never heard of this condition before, we had no idea what lay ahead for Oran.

“Oran's motive was that he’d do whatever they asked of him because his goal was to get through it all.”

The event will kick off at 11am on Saturday, July 27 at the Lettershandoney Community Centre.

To get a team involved in the tournament you can contact Andrena Boyd on Facebook. 

And to donate to the charity, Young Lives Vs Cancer, you can go through this link.