Joe Atkins and Freddie McLennan tragically lost their lives in Bolivia while on their gap year in 2019. Isla and Jess, Joe’s two sisters, arranged an event on Saturday 14th December in their memory to raise money for the Sam West Foundation and Football Beyond Borders, charities set up by Cranbrook School alumni. We are very proud to have such caring, charitable and innovative students in our community.

The day we set up in memory of Freddie and our lovely brother Joe was one we’ll never forget. What started as an idea of a simple football match with Joe’s friends in the summer turned into a real event, bringing 450 people together, raising over £10,000 for The Sam West Foundation and Football Beyond Borders, and, most importantly, celebrating the lives of two brilliant boys.

With a hog roast, pizza van, tombola, raffle, auction, games, bar, J&F merchandise on sale, and of course a Blues vs Reds football match (in tribute to Joe’s beloved Man City and Freddie’s Liverpool) we hoped to honour the boys in a way we think they would have loved.

It was incredibly valuable for our family to have something positive to focus on for Joe, so we’d like to thank everyone who contributed in some way and came to the match from all over the country.

With a rainbow making an appearance over us all on the day, it felt that the boys were with us, and we like to think that they’re still up there continuing their bitter football rivalry just as they did on their travels.

ISLA AND JESS ATKINS