Luke Holland Memorial Match

A huge supportive crowd gathered to watch the Luke Holland Memorial Match on Sunday 7th September. Approximately 400 people cheered on the two teams Luke played for, Brockham Badgers and Ockley Acorns, who were battling it out for the trophy. All his friends were playing and both teams were keen to win. Ockley opened the scoring on what turned out to be a dry night with the pitch in perfect condition. By half-time Ockley were winning 2-0. In the second half Brockham pulled back a goal and as the game went on Ockley were leading 3-2. Some excellent football was being played by both teams and the crowd were enjoying the performance. Minutes from the final whistle Brockham scored the final goal to level the match 3-3. A very neutral referee (Neil!) decided extra time and penalties would not be played and so both teams shared the trophy. A fantastic game and a perfect score. You did Lukey proud boys. A small donation of £1 was suggested from each adult with the money to go to Surrey Air Ambulance. They obviously didn't take any notice as we raised an amazing £741.56!! Thank you everyone for your generosity and for an emotional but lovely evening. A special tribute to our special boy.

Change Of Kick-Off Re:Memorial Game At Dorking FC - 7th September 2008

Hi Everyone, due to an F.A. Vase game being played in the afternoon we have had to change the time of kick-off for the game between Brockham and Ockley. It will now be 7.00pm under floodlights on this Sunday 7th September 2008. Hopefully this won't change your plans too much so look forward to seeing you all on the day. X

Memorial Football Match For Our Lukey - Sept 7th 2008

Hi All, I can't believe I have to write this even after seven months of Lukey boy not being here. For Sal and I it will be very nice to see everyone but very tough when it is all over. The under 15 boys of Brockham and Ockley of last season will battle it out for a trophy in honour of our boy. It will be held at Dorking Football Club on Sunday 7th September 2008, kick off 11.15am. I'm going to try and referee the game which I hope I can enjoy as well as remembering what Luke would do in certain football situations. As I said before it would be great to see everyone before and after in the bar. There maybe a small admission fee which will go towards the total raised for the Air Ambulance. Just for me to say let's hope it's a good day!

Holiday in the Sun

We've recently got back from a holiday with my family in a very hot Spain. Julia and Alan very generously hired a large villa near Marbella and invited both sides of the family (Al's side the first week and Ju's side the second.) Neil and I flew out there on 31st July and my sisters and Mum all arrived within a few days. Ju & Al's boys, Chris and Doug spent most of the time bombing us in the pool as we lay relaxing on the sunbeds. Little darlings. We barely saw a cloud all week and the temperature spent most of the time in the high 90's. It was just what we all needed, a bit of time out relaxing, eating, drinking, reading and swimming. Obviously some highs and lows but being together was lovely. Neil seemed to have a challenge every day, went running with Al, Chris and Nikkie several times. He swam in the sea out to a buoy a long way out, despite the fact we all told him not to!! He lifted Alan onto his shoulders in the swimming pool and spent the next few days with backache. He played Alan at golf and was kindly given a handicap, which Al probably regretted as they finished even. Good to have a change of scenery, lovely company and a time to think and relax. Now back home where there are plenty of clouds and the temperature is in the mid 60's. It's lovely to be home! Wouldn't want to live anywhere else though.

Great Day Had By All

The British 10k Hyde Park Run - Sunday 6th July 2008. Apart from getting married and then having Luke this was probably the next best thing that has ever happened to me.

Yesterday we woke up at 5.30 am to very dark clouds and it started to pour with rain just after 6.00am. All of us met and left Brockham by coach generously donated by Edward Thomas & Sons at 6.45am yesterday morning. We got to Hyde Park to very changeable weather.

23 lovely people ran their hearts out for both the Surrey & Sussex and the London Air Ambulance. The race started at The Hard Rock Cafe in Piccadilly and finished in Whitehall. We then all met in St James's Park for a picnic and a well earned rest. The coach arrived to take us back to Brockham for Teas on the green where the shone for the rest of the afternoon. A huge amount of cakes had been donated and a large number of supporters turned up to drink tea and eat cakes and strawberries and cream. We raffled the prizes and auctioned the bottle of whisky all donated by Edward Thomas & Sons.

Thank you to everyone who all made it such a very special day including the children who made the superb banners.

Above is a photo of some well known highly toned athletes who did a PB of 59.59!

Next Sunday Hyde Park Here We Come!

To all 23 of you that are running next Sunday in Hyde Park for both the Surrey / Sussex and the London Air Ambulance may I wish you all the very best. It's great that you're all doing this. I know that some of you haven't run very much before so to do this will be a great personal achievement. Sal, and I will be with you all the way and meet you with open arms at the finish! Remember it will be tough, but no pain no gain so you all must finish!! Love Always xx.

Week-end Of Highs and Lows!!

Last Friday I had great pleasure in giving a 'Luke memorial award' to one of his many friends George Stables at Ockley football clubs annual presentation evening at the Surrey Hills Hotel. Many thanks to Neil Cumming for his kind words about Luke and myself. As I said in my speech Luke had 4 great years playing for another club and my thanks go initially to Graham East for accepting Luke to play for Ockley where he made many friends from another village, you could say a great bunch of lads.

Saturday, woke up to a lovely morning where Brockham Football Club held there annual week-end football tournament where about 200 teams battled it out to win a Euro trophy. Enjoyed my time refereeing the under 12's with two other colleagues Tony and Phil. It was uncomfortable at times but as they say 'no pain no gain'.

Sunday was a strange day. Alot was crammed in to make my day special. Firstly I did enjoy very much managing the Brockham under 15 B's. The boys worked hard but didn't quite get the results. I blame the manager on the day, he should get the sack! Come back Martin!!

Then when the Surrey & Sussex helicopter arrived at 10.30am all I could think about was why wasn't Luke on it. He's well again. I just can't seem to come to terms with it that he's not! I keep repeating the same statement I know,he should be here, not me. Got through the afternoon don't know how but I keep saying that.

Take care all of you. x