A TOTTINGTON teenager is holding a charity football match in memory of his beloved grandfather.
Chris Mellor, aged 19, will be joined by former school friends and teachers for the game at Woodhey High School later this month.
His grandfather, Joe Hamilton, died in November aged 83, and, in order to remember the keen football fan, he decided to bring his old school football team back together.
All money raised from the match will go towards Bury Hospice.
Mr Mellor, who lives in Harwood Walk, said: “My grandad was not in the hospice, but I wanted to support the wonderful work all the staff do and to continue providing a great service.
“My grandad and I were very close. He taught me how to play football and loved coming to watch me play.
“When he got a bit older, that became a bit of a struggle. The last game he saw me play was my final game for school in the cup final at Gigg Lane.”
Mr Mellor, who studies business and marketing at Manchester Metropolitan University, left Woodhey in 2016, but has fond memories of being a member of the school's football team.
“It was a great bunch of lads and the best team I have ever played in.
“We won the league and were twice runners up in the cup. I wanted to bring the team and teachers back together, and this was a great way to do that."
The game will kick off at Woodhey High School at 3.45pm on Friday, March 29.
To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/cmellor-buryhospice.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here