Hundreds attend football tournament in memory of Wirral teenager (From Wirral Globe)

Hundreds attend football tournament in memory of Wirral teenager

3:20pm Thursday 20th September 2012 in News Exclusive By Craig Manning

HUNDREDS of people showed their support for a charity five-a-side football tournament in memory of Wirral teenager Daniel Chong.

More than 500 turned out for the event in Upton Park, Moreton on September 15, raising £1206.

The cash will be used to pay for a bench, plaque, Rowan tree and bin to be placed near the hut Daniel and his friends used a meeting place. Funds will also be used to pay for a bench at Lingmere Fishery in Moreton, which he visited regularly.

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

As well as a football tournament featuring 16 teams, there were a number of stalls and children’s entertainment during the event on September 15, including a bouncy castle.

There was also an army assault course and representatives of Merseyside Police brought along motorbikes to raise awareness of using them safely.

The Daniel Chong Memorial Trophy was also awarded to his old team, Wallasey School Year 11, who won the tournament.

Daniel’s mum Lynne Chong, who presented the winners' medals during the afternoon, told the Globe: “I want to say a big thank you to everyone who helped make the afternoon a fantastic success and amazing tribute to Daniel.

“The football was a great success and really did lift my spirits to see so many people turn out to watch.

“The police gave road safety talks, which I thought were really good and an inspiration to the youngsters who turned up.”

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.

Daniel, 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 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.

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

Looking to the future, Daniel’s mum Lynne continued: “They’re planning to do this again next year, but at the moment we’re coming up with ideas on where the money raised next time will go.

“It could go to a chosen charity, or to help a struggling team that may be having trouble raising funds for kits.”