Charity football match remembers knife crime victim
The mother of a young Shropshire man whose life was tragically lost to knife crime is inviting members of the public to show their support at a tribute football match.
The match, Chirk AAA FC VS Oswestry Town FC will take place this evening at Chirk AAA Football Club, Kick off 7pm.
Lisa McNeil is the mother of 21-year-old Danny Jones, who was killed after being attacked with a replica “Lord of the Rings” sword during an argument in a car park near Oak Street, Oswestry in April last year.
Mrs McNeil is championing the “Save a Life - Surrender Your Knife” campaign, spearheaded by Oswestry company the British Ironwork Centre, which is helping to organise the match in Danny’s memory.
Players from both teams will be wearing “Save a Life - Surrender Your Knife” campaign tee shirts - Chirk AAA will wear white with black print with Oswestry Town FC in contrasting black with white print. As a special touch, both teams will proudly wear pink arm bands – this being Danny’s favourite colour.
Burning torches will be held by the Captains of each team prior to kick off, symbolising the light of Danny’s life which will burn within each member of his family for ever.
Campaign wrist bands will be available by request to all would like to support the campaign.
Mr Knowles of the British Ironwork Centre said: "It is so important to have the involvement of families and friends who have been affected by knife crime to support this campaign. It is only they who can truly communicate to others its devastating effects.”
The British Ironwork Centre’s campaign aims to encourage young people carrying knives to relinquish their weapons. Surrendered knives will be used to create a spectacular 15-24 feet tall Angel statue in memory of those whose lives have been tragically lost.
