23.07.10 Have a Dip! – Watford YMCA receives fundraising boost from memorial football tournament
On Saturday 17th July, more than 80 keen footballers battled it out at Bushey Power League in a seven-a-side charity tournament to raise funds for Watford YMCA’s Youth Development department.
The Have a Dip tournament was organised by friends of Watford YMCA, Ian Roberts and Sharan Jaswal, in memory of their friend Dipen Patel; Dipen provided coaching and mentoring support for two young people as part of the Go Get It project. Go Get It closed in May 2009 due to lack of funding and Dipen always said that he would do all he could to raise money to keep the project going.
Sadly, Dipen died earlier this year and never got the chance to fulfil his promise, so his friends, family and work colleagues have taken on the challenge instead. Early estimates are that Saturday’s event will raise in excess of £5000, and Dipen’s employers – Sidley Austin – has promised to match fund the final total! The money will be used towards Watford YMCA’s newest project, Y’zUp, which is an employability and support scheme for young offenders.
Julia Collar, Head of Youth Development said: “We have seen a dramatic reduction in our funding this year and without events like this we would not be able to continue our work. Dipen was an inspirational volunteer and we are so grateful and moved that his family and friends are continuing his legacy in this way.”
The YMCA entered its own team in the tournament, and ended up finishing an impressive second overall.
The team featured Bob Dunnett (Head of Buildings and Maintenance), Doug Haines (Prince’s Trust Team Leader for Luton), Luke Rattue (Woodlands gym instructor) and Vicky Hosier (Woodlands gym instructor). Friends of Watford YMCA completed the ten-person squad so huge thanks to Liam Rafferty, Michael Jarman, Tom Leathers, Chris Hance, Robert Tacacs, and Robert Floutier for their time and skills.
The winning team – FC Inconsistent – was the team that Dipen himself had helped form.
The event was also generously supported by local businesses including:
Rush, Dawson Strange Photography, Posh, Lush, Charters Health Clubs, Nandos, Aro Sports, McDonald’s and Shake Away.
To see Watford Observer’s coverage of the event go to: http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/8281838.Memorial_tournament_held
_for__inspirational__youth_worker/
