ILMINSTER NEWS: Charity match to remember Bradley Cullen will support his younger brother Jake

FRIENDS and family of a well-liked teenager who died three years ago will be gathering at Ilminster Town Football Club’s new headquarters on Saturday (August 6, 2016) for the Bradley Cullen Memorial Day.

It is now three years since Bradley Cullen, 15, passed away as a result of heart failure brought on by the rare Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy he lived with.

This Saturday will be the third year Ilminster Town FC has hosted the Bradley Cullen Charity Match with the game played between Ilminster Under-16s managed by Marc Elswood and Brad’s Lads captained by Brad’s dad Mark Cullen.

The idea for the annual event came from a group of local boys and their youth team manager as a way of remembering their friend and raising money for charity.

Bradley had been battling with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy – a rare disorder affecting one in 3,500 births in the UK each year.

The fundraising efforts this year will all be donated to Bradley’s younger brother Jake, who also lives with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The money donated will go towards a new off-road wheelchair.

PHOTO - TOP: Two teams line-up at a previous Bradley Cullen Charity Match at Ilminster Town FC.

PHOTO - ABOVE: Bradley's younger brother Jake at home in South Petherton. An appeal has been started to buy Jake a special off-road wheelchair for him to use.

Family friend, Sophie Storey, said: “Brad’s friends made a promise to him to look out for his younger brother because that’s what friends do – so this year they are fundraising for Jake to get an off-road wheelchair.

“Jake wants to take his dog for a walk and on the beach, normal stuff that 15-year-olds want to do and have a little bit of independence from mum and dad.

“Brad’s friends learnt through him how short life can be and the charity football match is the just the start of their fundraising as they have over £14,000 to raise and already they have events lined-up all through August.

“Brad’s lads are all local young men trying to improve the quality of life for a friend.”

Ilminster Town’s Darren Paul said: “The charity match has become a very important date in the calendar for everyone at Ilminster Town FC and we hope as many people will come down to the Archie Gooch Pavilion at Britten's Field on Saturday to remember Bradley and show their support for the off-road wheelchair appeal for Jake.”

Brad’s parents Mark and Tash have been overwhelmed by the support they have received since he died in 2013 and now with the fundraising for an off-road wheelchair for Jake.

“We’d like to thank everyone for their support and a big thank you to Ilminster Town FC for everything they are doing,” said Mark.

The charity match at Ilminster Town’s new Archie Gooch Pavilion at Britten’s Field will kick-off at 2pm on Saturday and there will be a raffle, barbecue and a disco.

PHOTO - ABOVE: A fundraising event for the off-road wheelchair appeal will be held at the Shrubbery Hotel in Ilminster on Friday, August 19, 2016.

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