Charity match honours Anne Williams
A unique friendly football match in memory of Hillsborough campaigner Anne Williams took place in Liverpool on Sunday, and was followed by a fundraising event to generate donations to related charities.
Anne passed away in April 2013 after a six-month battle with bowel cancer, and a 24-year quest for justice; her 15-year-old son, Kevin, was among the 96 supporters who lost their lives at Hillsborough on April 15, 1989.
She refused to accept defeat in her long-term attempt to secure a fresh inquest into Kevin's death, and attended the annual Hillsborough memorial a matter of days before her passing on April 18.
Yesterday, the Scouse Reds and the Norwegian Wools used the power of football to remember Anne and subsequently raise charity funds on behalf of Hope for Hillsborough (For Justice) and Queenscourt Hospice in Southport, where the campaigner was cared for during her final days.
Anne was in attendance when the two teams last faced off in 2009, awarding the trophy to the victorious Scouse Reds, and afterwards delivered an inspirational speech, helping to raise £4,500 for Hope for Hillsborough.
Four years later, amid perfect sunshine at the Liverpool County FA on Walton Hall Park, the Scouse Reds took the spoils once more with a handsome 9-0 victory against opponents beset by injuries.
Anne's daughter, Sara, watched from the sidelines and presented the Anne Williams Memorial Trophy to the winning team, while her son Finlay acted as a mascot before kick-off.
Proceedings relocated to the nearby Taxi Club post-match, with live music provided by the likes of The Cheap Thrills, plus auctions and raffles featuring a range of sought-after memorabilia.
Items on offer included shirts donated by Jamie Carragher's 23 Foundation and former Reds striker Robbie Fowler, an autographed Rafa Benitez book, and a signed Ian Rush jersey from the 1984 European Cup final.
Organisers Phil Belger, Jason Morland and Olav Rosvold are confident that the total raised will surpass the amount achieved in 2009, and are hopeful of making the match an annual event.
Donations to the cause are still welcome and gratefully accepted; if you would like to contribute, you can do so using the email address norwegianscouse@live.co.uk via PayPal.