A SIXTH football tournament in memory of brave young Wirral cancer victim Elliot Wild will be held this weekend for Claire House.

More than 145 teams, featuring over 1200 children, will compete in The Claire House Cup at Wirral Rugby Club on Saturday and Sunday.

The tournament was set up by Jackie Wild following the death of her son Elliot in 2011 and has, to-date, raised £223,000 for the hospice.

Last year, 1,500 children took part, helping raise more than £20,000.

Jackie told the Globe: "Elliot was football mad and this certainly is a great legacy to his memory and whilst we put on a great footballing event, it is such a humbling experience to see over 1200 kids come out and play football whilst helping kids at Claire house.

"What an amazing legacy to Elliot.

"This year's event was full in just two hours and it's so unfortunate we could not accommodate the other teams on the reserve list that are so keen to play.

"We want to wish the teams that are playing good luck and enjoy the great festival of football, all the trophies have been kindly sponsored by Neston Building supplies.

“Our total raised by our wonderful family and friends to date is a staggering £223,000 raised for Claire house children's hospice in Elliot's memory.

"We are very fortunate to have Bagnall and Morris to sponsor our wonderful event. 

"As a family we want to thank JM Recruitment Education and training for their continued support in helping us organise a truly great weekend of football.

"This weekend we are aiming to raise enough money to see us hit the £250,000 total.

"Never in our wildest dreams did we think we would raise such a phenomenal amount, a quarter of a million.

Nine-year-old Elliot died from leukaemia in 2011 and since this time, mum Jackie has been fund raising for Claire House, as they looked after Elliot during his illness.

He was first diagnosed with leukaemia in April 2009 after Jackie noticed he had become lethargic.

Once diagnosed, he was quickly operated on.

But after more than a year of remission with regular treatment and check-ups, doctors discovered that the cancer had come back stronger than ever.

Elliot was a keen Liverpool FC supporter and the club took him to their hearts.

He went to the LFC TV studios with Jackie to appeal for supporters to register with the Anthony Nolan charity in the hope that one fan may prove a match for the youngster and help save his life.

Despite setbacks, Elliot fought on and even managed to star in his own LFC TV show at Christmas, putting his own questions to keeper Pepe Reina during a special edition of SmallTalk.

Elliot's final game at Anfield was as a guest of the club for the recent match against Manchester United when he visited the Players' Lounge afterwards to congratulate his heroes.

Paying tribute, mum Jackie continued: "Elliot was a very special boy, and not a minute goes by that we don’t think of him.

"We are so proud that his football tournament is such a fantastic footballing weekend that gives back so much to the wonderful hospice that helped us in our darkest hour.

"The money raised helps to continue their amazing work helping children and families like us at Claire house".