The hot weather means it’s indoor fun and games in the shade this week at both hubs. A couple of brave souls decided the minibus needed a wash and there was a colourful corner spotted up at the Harding hub.

Spot the deliberate mistake of purple phone cover sneaking into the picture!!

Swallownest FC would like to extend a warm welcome to anyone who would like to join them on Saturday, 24^th July when they host their annual Chris Lill memorial match when Swallownest FC play Maltby Main FC for the Chris Lill Trophy.

Swallownest and Maltby Main play an annual fundraising match in memory of Chris’s life and in support of the brilliant staff at Rushey Meadow respite centre and Mind Sheffield.

Christopher Mark Lill, was born on the 25^{th of} February 1992 and is fondly remembered as part of a famous local football family. Brothers Alex and Josh both played for Swallownest and Maltby Main, father Richard is Vice Chair at Swallownest, and Mother Ann has been a supporter of her boys and a popular and valued volunteer at a number of non-League clubs.

After a battle with deteriorating health, Chris passed away on the afternoon of January 12^th 2018, aged just 26.

Chris spent the first few weeks of his life in the Special Care Baby Unit at the Northern General Hospital, where a series of tests revealed that he had been born with a unique chromosomal disorder and would be living with severe learning difficulties.

As younger brothers Alex & Josh grew older, they loved playing football on the back garden and Chris would generally sit in the middle of the ‘pitch’ watching and laughing at them. As they began playing Junior football, Chris really enjoyed watching the boys play their games.

Home life was always frenetic with Chris, so football was always the family escape. Chris was non-verbal and profoundly deaf and later lost his sight, however his smile and use of ‘body language’ ensured he always got his point across. He only really got upset if someone took his football sock away from him (from an early age he used a football sock as a ‘comforter’).

Every Monday night (straight from School) and every 6^th weekend, Chris visited Rushey Meadow Respite centre, and was always delighted when he saw his ‘Rushey Overnight bag’.

Rushey Meadow Children’s Home is part of the Sheffield City Council’s Children, Young People and Families Service, located on Bannerdale Road in Sheffield and provides a service of residentially based respite care to children with severe learning disabilities. Their service plays a key role in enhancing the lives of young disabled people and their families; and the home offers care which respects and values the young people within a nurturing environment where their abilities are developed and achievements celebrated with a 24-hour service, including weekends. Some of these children can require a high level of personal care including feeding, bathing, and intimate care, undertaken by highly-skilled and well-trained staff.

Covid stopped last year’s match but this Saturday, hopefully, the 2^nd Annual Chris Lill Memorial match will go ahead with a 3pm kick-off and all are welcome down at the Swall Siro stadium @Swallownest Miners Welfare, Rotherham Road, Sheffield. S26 4UR.

Tickets available now and on the gate @ http://www.TicketSource.co.uk/swallownest-football-club.
They are priced @ £5 adults, £3 Concession.
U16 accompanied by an adult – Free Of Charge

If you would like a preview of the joy you could have visiting Swallownest FC and the area, then Swallownest FC – Miners Welfare Ground – Gibbo’s 92 (gibbos92.com) is the place to read about it and smile.

A Just Giving page has been set up and you can donate @ “Swallownest FC – Support Rushey Meadow Children’s Home and Mind Sheffield.”

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/swallownestfcchrislillmemorialtrophy-rusheymeadownursinghomeandmindsheffield?utm_term=MjEykVVxb

Thanks in advance for your support of a great cause and “a little man who could”.

It’s been a busy week in the sunshine. The Banned were in full rehearsal mode, the footballers were on a trip to Huddersfield Town ground and there were helping hands with the housekeeping up at the Harding hub.

Sorry for the delay in posting early week activities, it’s been a very busy week.

We will catch up first with the day trips out to Thoresby Park and Cannon Hall, birthdays and hats??? Over the weekend we will catch up with the activities at the hubs.

Here’s the birthdays, Adrian and staff member Dawn.

And now for the hats, not quite sure why, perhaps best not to ask!

Dancing and painting up at the hubs and trips out between the showers and a get well soon gift to Jack.