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Soham-schoolboy nets £20,000 for the children's hospice which helped care for his twin sister




Liam lines up with players of all ages who took part in Saturday’s matches in memory of his twin sister Lucy
Liam lines up with players of all ages who took part in Saturday’s matches in memory of his twin sister Lucy

A charity football match planned by Soham schoolboy Liam Johnson has netted £20,000 for the children’s hospice which helped care for his twin sister who died earlier this year.

Football-mad Liam, 12, wanted to say thank you, in Lucy’s memory, to East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices at Milton so, back in June, he came up with the idea of the special match day with a fund-raising target of £3,000.

But on Saturday, thanks to family, friends, sponsors and the community of Soham and district, that amount was exceeded way beyond the expectations of Liam, his parents Andrew and Sharon and older sister Katie.

The matches saw Liam’s Friends take on Littleport Rangers and a Liam’s All Stars XI face Andrew’s All Stars, but it was Liam himself who was the big star of the day with three goals and a huge cash boost for the charity.

Liam greets ref Paul Norman and opposition captain Ollie Holmes
Liam greets ref Paul Norman and opposition captain Ollie Holmes

“I would like to thank everyone who sponsored the day and the players, everyone who helped make it run smoothly, people who turned up on the day and those who donated, and all the players for playing in the matches on such a hot day,” said Liam.

His proud parents said that, as a family, they had been ‘blown away, by the love and support shown by everyone. “We can’t thank them enough,” added Sharon.

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