Emotional final charity memorial match sees friends’ fundraiser exceed £85k

Mark 'Barney' Barwell was part of FC Unit, a Sunday morning football team which he and his mates played together in for about five seasons.

After Mark died on September 21, 2017, FC Unit decided to host the Mark ‘Barney’ Barwell memorial football tournament in his honour.

Nearly a decade on, organisers decided to end on a high with the final footballing event held at the weekend for Johnny’s Happy Place and Cransley Hospice Trust.

Mark’s friend and co-organiser, Tom Smith, said: “Barney was my dear friend who sadly passed away in 2017 and ever since we have hosted numerous events to honour his memory, honour his legacy and raise lots of money for charity.

“I feel really sad that it is coming to an end, but really happy because everything we set out to do we achieved.

“We have raised a significant amount of money for local causes that has made an impact in our community, we’ve left our mark with Barney’s name being recognised and valued – people appreciate how much we love him and think about him – and we’ve raised awareness of mental health.

“We’ve brought that to the fore, allowing people to talk and the stigma to be reduced around mental health particuarly for men.”

Described as ‘big-hearted with a big smile’ Tom says his friend was one of ‘life’s enhancers’.

Charities which have benefitted from the fundraising have included Kettering Mind, Parkinsons UK (Kettering branch), the Jack Wilkinson Treatment Fund and The Barney Legacy Fund – for Mark’s daughter.

Over the years, the group of friends has raised in excess of £85,000 with this weekend’s nine-team tournament, auction and raffle adding another £5,200 to the pot.

Tom added: “I think Barney would absolutely love it that we are still here, he would be shocked that it’s still happening.

“He would love the coming together because he was a very sociable person. He would love meeting new people, and he was always the centre of attention.

“We’re so proud to have kept it going in his honour.”

The final tournament is not the end for the fundraising or get-togethers – Barney’s friends are planning other events to remember their pal.