PEOPLE across Huddersfield are being urged to back a memorial fund in memory of a young sports star.

Two major fundraising drives are being planned to help the Huw Thatcher Trust.

Huw was the 15-year-old Holmfirth footballer who died tragically after collapsing during a game at Brighouse.

It later transpired he had a brain aneurysm which no-one knew about.

Huw played for Hepworth United, was captain of the Holmfirth High School soccer team and was also a promising young cricketer.

Friends and family have set up the Huw Thatcher Trust to help brain-injured people and their families.

Many thousands of pounds have already been raised and now two big events are planned for the Holme Valley.

Both are being organised by officials at Upperthong Cricket Club, where Huw was a player for several years.

One is the Holme Valley Family Cricket Challenge, due to be held on June 25, and the second is the Huddersfield Cricket Biking Challenge.

The family cricket day will see teams from eight Holme Valley clubs taking part.

Organiser Robert Oakley, director of coaching at Upperthong, said: “Huw was a talented cricketer and had been a member of Upperthong since the age of 10.

“I coached Huw in those early years and he was one of those kids who could be a real handful but at the same time had a real charm and warm personality that was completely disarming.

“He had developed rapidly as a cricketer, becoming a hard-hitting batsman, and would have undoubtedly scored a lot of runs this season.

“Everyone at Upperthong has tried to provide what support we can to Huw’s parents, Nick and Jenny, and his sister Carys.”

The cricket tournament will see teams comprising adults and junior players.

The cricket club is also planning the bike ride, which will see cyclists take on the challenge of riding 40 miles in a day, on July 9.

The route will see the cyclists call in at 15 Huddersfield cricket clubs – one for each year of Huw’s life.

All the riders will be sponsored and there will be collections taken at each of the grounds, where there will be league games or junior matches taking place.

Mr Oakley said: “Given Huw’s love for sport, it seems very appropriate that the events have an active theme”.

For details contact Joy Oakley on 07711 943291.