DOZENS of young girls will lace-up their football boots and take part in a charity match in memory of a mum-of-two.

Pleasley Stags Girls Football Club’s Under-13s team (pictured) will host Moorgreen Colts on Sunday, 18th March at the Rotherham Road Recreation Ground, New Houghton, at 10.30am.

The fixture has been arranged by Amy and Jemma Page as a tribute to their mother, Jackie Page, who died suddenly in August 2015 following a heart attack at the age of 45.

The game will take place the day after what would have been Jackie’s 48th birthday in her home village.
Amy, 26, secretary at Pleasley Stags Girls FC, which was set up in July, said: “Setting up my own football club was something mum was really passionate about.

“She wanted to help me out and she was very keen about running the raffle and tea bar to raise extra funds so the girls could take part in further activities and, in turn, create lots of happy memories while growing up.”

The 15 Pleasley Stags Girls youngsters — aged from 11 to 13 — will play in a special purple kit that has been badged up with a photo of Jackie.

All funds will be donated to Nottingham Hospitals Charity, which supports the Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham.

Jackie spent nine days on the hospital’s intensive care unit before her family made the decision to turn her life-support machine off.

Jemma, 25, welfare officer at Pleasley Stags Girls FC, said: “The staff at the hospital made mum’s final days that little bit better.

“They never heard mum speak, they never even saw her move, but they took her into their hearts and gave us so much support during the most difficult time in our lives.

“All the girls and parents know about mum and it is great to have their love.

“For my sister and I each day is difficult, but the football club has given us something to focus on and it will be great to celebrate her life surrounded by her friends, family and those who never got the chance to meet her but have taken her and us into their hearts.”

Naomi Walters, senior community fundraiser at Nottingham Hospitals Charity, said: “Since 2015, Amy and Jemma have completed a huge number of fundraising events in memory of Jackie.

“Their latest is another wonderful way to honour Jackie’s memory and raise money for the adult intensive care unit in Nottingham.

“Their fundraising makes a huge difference to patients by providing specialist equipment, enhancements to the environment, additional services, and staff training and development.”

For more information on Pleasley Stags Girls Football Club, go to https://psgfc.wordpress.com

For more details on Nottingham Hospitals Charity, go to www.nottinghamhospitalscharity.org.uk