Lovey tributes to Huw and news this month ♥♥♥

We have some interesting news this month about how the Huw Trust money is being spent – and some further tributes to Huw – keeping his memory with us and emphasising how much he meant to his family and friends.

‘Friends of Huw Thatcher’ have been shortlisted for the ‘Friends of the Year’ award at the ‘Huddersfield Examiner Community awards’.  Friends of Huw Thatcher represents all of Huw’s friends and family – although the emphasis of the shortlist is on Huw’s teenage friends and cousins who were so good to Huw for 15 years – and have been particularly supportive of him over the last 2 years.  Being successful on this shortlist is a great achievement in recognition of the dedication, kindness and maturity the young people have shown to Huw, the Huw Thatcher Trust and Huw’s family.  The scores of young people should all take some credit for that and I am delighted that Ben, Hayley, Sam, Cal and Matt will be joining me (tickets permitting) at the awards night on 23^rd May at the Huddersfield Town stadium – to represent all the ‘Friends of Huw Thatcher’.  I’m sorry more people can’t go but these 5 will be great representatives having been dedicated to various Huw Trust activities over the last 2 years and more importantly being good friends of Huw for many years – in Matt’s case since he was 3 months old!

We are delighted The Huw Trust has provided tens of thousands of pounds to facilities for brain injured people in Yorkshire and will also be providing a sizeable donation for Holmfirth based Richard Ford later this year – who experienced a debilitating stroke in 2012.  The Trust is also providing funds for a new facility for brain injured people in Swindon – an IT suite, physiotherapy equipment and so on.  ‘Chalkdown House’ in Swindon is being officially opened on 7^th May which will include the unveiling of ‘The Huw Thatcher IT Suite’ which will be marked by a plaque.  I am really pleased to be going to the opening of Chalkdown House next month and will report back.  There will also be a plaque in the garden at the newly opened Osman House in Leeds with the words ‘The renovation of this garden was started with funds raised by The Huw Thatcher Trust’.  It’s good to see tangible results from everything that is being done to respect Huw – nothing will stop us missing Huw every single day, but these positive things are nonetheless heartening.  And I’m sure the facilities provided by the efforts of everyone who has contributed to the Huw Thatcher Trust will make a big difference to people who have unforunately experienced brain injuries.  Well done to everyone for their continued efforts to remember Huw and help this cause.

This month is also a good chance to remind people of the following Huw Trust events:

• The 3^rd Upperthong Cricket Club Huw Thatcher bike ride – on Sunday 7^th July – entry details to follow soon;
• The 3^rd and final Huw Thatcher Trust gig, supporting Richard Ford at the Picturedrome – on Saturday 13^th July.  Tickets are selling fast and the event will be a sell out – so I’d suggest getting tickets soon – details here;
• The 3^rd Huw Thatcher five a side tournament on Saturday 20^th July – again entry details to follow soon.

Huw’s football friends will be playing in the District League Cup semi final on Sunday (14th April) so I want to wish them good luck for the match – a match which Huw should should also be taking part in – and a match in which his loyal team mates will I know, do themselves proud.

Finally, whenever things go well for Cardiff City, it is particularly moving.  Carys and I have been to various grounds this season to watch their chase for promotion to the Premier League.  We always talk about Huw and remember fondly – and with sadness – the lovely times we had with him over the years at the various ground in the Midlands and North of England.  Huw’s friends and family will know how enthusiastic and vocal he was in his support of the Bluebirds.  Today, Cardiff all but sealed promotion – a goal which they were chasing for many years while Huw was here.  We expect promotion will be confirmed (with just 1 further point required) in the next few weeks – that will be quite a moment as we think of Huw’s love of football and of the Bluebirds.  There will be so much sadness about him not being here to witness this piece of Cardiff City history – we can just imagine the smile that this would have put across his beautiful face.  I will leave you with the thought of Huw’s beautiful happy smile and will report back with some reflections of Cardiff’s season and Huw’s support of the club in due course.