Daniel's friends organise charity Wirral football tournament in his memory (From Wirral Globe)

Daniel's friends organise charity Wirral football tournament in his memory

3:31pm Friday 7th September 2012 in News Exclusive By Craig Manning

FRIENDS and family of a Wirral teenager killed in a motorbike crash have organised a charity five-a-side football tournament in his memory.

Funds from the event, taking place next Saturday, September 15 in Upton Park, Moreton, will be used to pay for a bench, plaque, Rowan tree and bin to be placed near the hut Daniel Chong and his friends used a meeting place.

Daniel died, aged 16 on August 5 after losing control of the scrambler motorbike he was riding and hit a lamppost.

As well as the football tournament, there will be a number of stalls and children’s entertainment including a bouncy castle.

There will also be an army assault course and representatives of Merseyside Police will be bring along bikes to raise awareness of using them safely. The fundraising afternoon will run from 1-5pm.

Looking forward to the event, Daniel’s mum Lynne Chong told the Globe: “I think it’s a lovely thing to do and am overwhelmed by the warmth shown by the community.

“He was so well-liked and his friends still come to see me. Members of his family are coming over from Liverpool to take part.

“It’s not just Daniel’s friends and parents, but a lot of businesses in Moreton have also helped by donating prizes that will be raffled on the day.”

Following his death, Daniel’s friends rallied round his distraught family and used a nearby a meeting place – known as “the hut” – to create a tribute to him.

Lynne said: “He was so well-liked and his friends still come round to see me.”

Daniel, who was a keen sportsman, had plans to become an electrician but sadly did not get to find out that he had been accepted onto his chosen college course.

A special vigil was also held after Daniel’s death, in which family and friends came together to launch Chinese lanterns into the sky in his memory.

More than 550 people turned out to say their last goodbye to the “cheeky” youngster at his funeral the following day where more than £1600 was raised to pay for a memorial bench.

Next weekend's tournament was organised by Sally O'Reilly, Pauline Quinn, Fiona Douglas and fellow Karen Hutchings, whose son grew up with Daniel.

Wirral Partnership Homes have sponsored the event. Moreton councillor Anita Leach has also supported the event.

Karen Hutchings said: “Everyone knew Daniel and he was such a great lad. We really wanted to do something in his memory.”