FOOTBALLERS across the Dearne area are uniting tomorrow for a charity match commemorating a player.
Jonny Salt, who played at Ings Lane and Jungle football clubs, took his own life last May when he was 37 years old.
The news shocked everyone he knew, pushing his former teammates to unite for a charity match that commemorates his life, and raises money for mental health awareness – which will take place tomorrow at 11.30am at the Welfare Community Ground, Goldthorpe.
Organiser of the match, Jason Norris, said: “He used to do charity work with Dearne and District, and his daughter still plays here. So we thought we’d get together members from each club he played for to organise this match in his honour.
“We did the first one last year, and are carrying it on now. It’s all to raise funds for mental health awareness.”
Alongside the match, two players will be taking on a 90-mile bike ride from Flamborough tonight.
Setting off at midnight, the pair will be cycling throughout the night as part of the fundraising efforts, arriving at the club in the morning.
Since the first charity match last year, nearly £3,000 has been raised, some of which has gone to placing a memorial bench for Jonny at the Bolton Brickyard Pond.
Jason added: “Last year Steve Durose and Lee Francis did the bike ride. This year they are doing it again, with Lee also competing in a charity boxing match last Saturday and the second charity football match tomorrow straight after the ride.
“We don’t have a target as such, it’s going to be an ongoing thing until his daughter Darcey reaches 18.”
