CELEBRITY and local footballers raised more than £10,000 at a charity football match in memory of a former Solihull Moors player.
The inaugural event – held in memory of Nick Mowl who took his life on May 16 last year – took place at Solihull Moors Football Club on Damson Parkway in May this year.
Garry Monk and the whole Birmingham City first team and staff alongside family and friends of Nick Mowl presented the cheque to Kaleidoscope Plus Group on Mental Health Day (October 10).
The charity is hoping to use the money raised to help employ a co-ordinator and a text service operator who will lead in the management and co-ordination of the national text service.
The event in May was a huge success with appearances from current and ex professional players Stiylian Petrov, Paul Robinson, Dele Adebola, James Beattie, Maik Taylor.
There were also hundreds of other players from over 24 teams who went head-to-head in a bod to be crowned the winners of the first Nick Mowl Cup.
Organiser Richard Beale said: “The whole day was a huge success and great fun for all involved.
“To have raised so much money to support Kaleidoscope plus in setting up their new suicide text scheme gives us much satisfaction and we look forward to raising even more money for them at next year’s Nick Mowl Cup on Monday May 6 at Solihull Moors again.”
During an impressive playing career Nick played for Knowle FC, Solihull Borough (now Solihull Moors), Stratford Town and Bedworth United.
He was also a coach at Solihull College, Birmingham City University, Premier Skills and for the juniors at Coventry City, before taking his in-demand skills overseas to America and latterly Australia.
Nick’s talents saw him take up a position in the ever-expanding American ‘soccer’ scene – joining the Temecula Valley Hawks in California as a coach.
Following his death last year, many of the youngsters Nick coached during his all-too-short career took to social media to pay tribute to him, describing him as one of the most genuine guys around and a great football coach who had a big impact on them and their football careers.
For more visit www.thenickmowlcup.co.uk or www.kaleidoscopeplus.org.uk about the charity.
As part of the charity work for the Nick Mowl Cup there will be an evening of talks around developing resilience and coping strategies on November 7 between 7.30pm and 9pm at Solihull Moors FC which is open to all and free to attend.
