Chamber member backs sold-out memorial football game
The Pirelli Stadium will be hosting a fundraising football match in memory of Brandon Sutton, who was in his second year on The Football and Education Course with Burton Albion Community Trust (BACT) and Burton and South Derbyshire College when he died on 1 January in a road traffic accident.
The Brandon Sutton Memorial Cup will take place on Wednesday, May 10, with a 7pm kick off.
The Brandon Sutton Memorial Fund will receive the proceeds of the game which will be used to support a Young People 's Bereavement Help Point that BACT will be running in conjunction with St Giles Hospice.
Burton & District chamber of commerce members Trent and Dove Housing has agreed to cover the cost of the officials, stewarding and other requirements. Nick Sutton Brandon 's dad works for Trent and Dove.
Ursula Bennion, chief executive of Trent & Dove, said: “Trent & Dove were keen to support the football match by sponsoring the costs involved. Brandon 's dad, Nick, is a valued Trent & Dove senior manager and this is one of several ways we will be working with the family and BACT to ensure a long-term legacy for Brandon. ”
Sarah Evans, education and employability manager, at BACT said: “A big thank you to everyone who has bought a ticket and who will be supporting the game. It 's amazing to see so many people wanting to honour Brandon by being part of this.
“The family 's main desire was to fund something that would be ongoing and have a lasting legacy for Brandon.
“An Adult Bereavement help point is already up and running on site at the football club but nothing similar is in place for young people.
“Having a safe space where young people can come together to talk about feelings, laugh, cry, joke and ask questions would be a major benefit.
“Meeting others who have also lost a loved one will hopefully mean they don 't feel alone and can get signposting to other agencies and support that can help them.
The memorial match is the idea of Liam Newton, Brandon 's close friend. Originally this started as a small gathering of friends with 'Brandon 's Boys ' playing against the BACT Football and Education Team.
Social media interest and support was so huge that Chairman Ben Robinson offered the main Pirelli stadium as a more suitable venue for the two teams to play the match.
Brandon 's family said: “We would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone that has shown sincere support and care for us all as a family over the last few months. It goes without saying that it has been the hardest time for us all but what we have taken is strength and comfort from the outpouring of love and generosity shown by so many.