AN eighth football tournament in memory of brave young Wirral cancer victim Elliot Wild will take place this weekend.

In total, 1,450 young players have signed up for The Claire House Cup, which will be held on the Ocean Fields at Wirral Rugby Club on Saturday and Sunday. Registration is now closed.

The annual event was organised by Jackie Wild following the death of son Elliot in 2011.

A total of 152 teams, featuring 1500 children, took part in the event last year, raising £30,565.42p, taking the total raised over the last seven years to £275,000.

B&M Waste Services have chosen to sponsor the tournament for a fourth year running, with Neston Building Supplies once again sponsoring the trophy.

Jackie told the Globe today: "We are more determined than ever to raise vital funds for Claire house as currently they can only reach one out of two children who need Claire house due to funds.

"I am really saddened to hear this and dread to think that we could of been one of those families eight years ago that could of not been helped in that desperate time  of end of life for Elliot, so we are absolutely driven on as always to help fundraise as much as we can over the footballing weekend and enjoy seeing kids helping other kids .

"I cannot believe how popular the football event has become.

"Once again JM Ret will organise the football tournament alongside Ray Redmond from EFC development cent.

"We couldn't put on a tournament of this size without our wonderful sponsors B&M.

"Their tremendous unwavering support means so much to myself, Ian and Finley in enabling us to put on an event that helps us not only to remember Elliot but to help raise such vital funds for Claire House children's hospice that helped us so much as a family in our darkest hours."

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.

He 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.

"Money raised helps to continue their amazing work helping children and families like us at Claire House".

David Curtis, director at B&M Waste Services said: "As long-term supporters of Claire House we're proud to sponsor the event for yet another year.

"It's great to see the sheer delight on the faces of all the children and proud families and friends watching them compete to win this now regionally recognised and coveted cup.

"Claire House Children's Hospice need fundraising and support from businesses and families alike, to achieve their mission to reach every dying child in our region and beyond and every penny raised really does help.

"Let's hope the weather holds up and the event is even more successful than last year."

Jessica Campbell, partnerships manager at Claire House, said: "We were over the moon to hear that B&M Waste Services have chosen to sponsor the Claire House Cup for the fourth year running.

"The team at B&M Waste are long-term supporters of Claire House Children's Hospice and have always shared our ambition to reach every seriously ill child and their family who needs hospice care and support.

"Jackie and her family, as well as all the volunteers work so hard to make sure that it's an amazing weekend for everyone involved, so we'd like to say a massive thank you to B&M Waste Services for helping to make this event possible."