Pictured above: (l-r) Kevin Hotchkiss, a Severn Business
Network founder member, who nominated this month's charity, hands
over a cheque to Reed Wellings
A Shropshire networking group has donated £250 to an
annual charity football tournament, held in memory of a county
landlord who passed away tragically.
The Severn Business Network this week handed a cheque to Reed
Wellings, father of Johnny Wellings who died in 2005.
Ever since his death, friends and family have hosted a charity
tournament in his memory in a bid to raise money for local
charities.
The 2010 event raised money for Shrewsbury's talking newspaper
and the Scouts and Guides Trust in Bayston Hill, where Johnny and
his family lived.
Mr Wellings accepted the cheque at a meeting of the group at
Shrewsbury Town's Greenhous Meadow stadium on Thursday morning.
He said: "Following Johnny's death one of his best friends said
he wanted to do something to remember him by. They went out and
bought a trophy and the football teams in Bayston Hill decided they
would compete every year for this trophy.
"The first tournament took place in 2006. My generation are
first to criticise the younger generation but these lads give up
their time and raise a lot of money.
"Since they started just under £9,000 has been collected
for charities including Hope House, the Air Ambulance and the
Disabled Riding Trust in Condover. This year it is going to the
Scout and Guide group in Bayston Hill and the Shrewsbury Talking
Newspaper.
"Your cheque has made a big difference this year. With the
current economic situation money is tight so the money from the
Severn Business Network is very welcome. Many, many thanks for this
generous cheque."
Lee Clarke, chair of the Severn Business Network, said the group
had voted to give money to charities across the county close to the
hearts of its members.
The Severn Business Network meets every Thursday at the
Greenhous Meadow at 6.45am and would welcome visitors interested in
finding out more about the group. For more information contact
Simon Jenkins on 07977 246633.