Factory workers set to kick off for charity

Employees at Crystal Martin’s two Sutton sites will play against each other in a bid to raise money in memory of a colleague who died from cancer a few years ago.

The two teams are representing the Kirkby Road factory and the Calladine Park factory and they will play for the Clifford Potter Cup at Bentinck Miners’ Welfare in Kirkby on Sunday 25th May.

There have been five such matches in recent years, with Calladine Park winning one and Kirkby Road the other four, including last year’s match in which they were the victors by four goals to one.

Said David Foster, a warehouse supervisor at Calladine Park: “Over the years the match has turned into more of a charity event, so as well as the match, there are lots of fun things to do for all the families who turn up to watch.”

All money raised will go to Cancer Research UK in memory of Clifford, who worked at the Kirkby Road site for 21 years before he died in 2010.

Said colleague Dyan Lyle: “He was always a friendly face to chat with and had a heart of gold.”

Thousands of pounds have been raised for the charity over the years and this year they are hoping to raise more than any other.

David added: “It’s great to be involved in something like this. So many people are affected by cancer and if there is even a slight possibility that doing this could help save a life or two, then it’s worth every bit of effort we put into it.

“Every year we try to make the event bigger and better to help try and raise more and more for Cancer Research.”

The event starts at 10am and kick off for the match is at 11am. Other activities on the day include bouncy castles, raffles, water slides, beat the keeper, funfair rides and a free buffet.