We are exceptionally impressed by the resilience that students Lewis and Matthew Tate have shown recently.
Last weekend they scaled Blencathra to raise funds for a new football kit for Lewis’ team, Warwick Wanderers. However, this positive initiative was prompted by a deeply sad reason they had for climbing the fell.
Their aptly proud mum, Joanna Tate, explained: “A year ago, Lewis and Matthew’s dad, Darren, passed away suddenly, following a heart attack. He had his first heart attack on Blencathra, 12 years ago, and always wanted to get back up there but never quite managed it. On Sunday, the boys took some of his ashes up to the top of the mountain, which will be his final resting place. The rest of his ashes are in the garden at Brunton Park.”
Joanna continued: “The support from both Lewis’s football coaches and his teammates has been incredible over the last year: from the minutes silence at his first game back, and the gentle pat on the shoulder from his team; to the coach spending hours on the phone sharing memories of his dad. We wanted to show our gratitude by helping to raise funds for a new kit in honour of Darren [their father], and to recognise how much the team has helped us to get through the last year. Football is so much more than just a sport.”
She added: “Support from the teachers at William Howard has also been amazing. Particularly Mrs Braithwaite, who has gone above and beyond to look out for Lewis during last year”.
Several of their school friends and family, and some of Lewis’s football team joined them in support for their walk up Blencathra, all making the effort to raise funds for the new kit.
If you would like to support Lewis and Matthew’s appeal, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Lewis-matty-tate
