FOOTBALLING friends of two Brierley Hill families hit by tragedy will be taking to the pitch for a charity tournament later this month.

Quarry Bank football coach Simon Wilkes, who runs Pure Sport Foundation, has organised a second charity football event in memory of his son Olly, aged 22, whose tragic suicide in April 2017 stunned and devastated the family and wider community.

The first Olly Wilkes Memorial Football Tournament held in 2018 united those who love and miss Olly and saw the family raise more than £10,000 which was split between the PKD Charity UK, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, The Iyla Rose Foundation and The Olly Wilkes Memorial.

The second event is now set to take place on Saturday June 22 at Thorns Collegiate Academy, Quarry Bank, and it will raise funds for the Justice for Ryan campaign in memory of popular footballer Ryan Passey who was stabbed to death at Chicago's nightspot in Stourbridge in August 2017.

Ryan, who was 24, and Olly shared many of the same friends through their love of football and the two tragic deaths which happened within four months hit them hard.

Olly’s father Simon said: “Olly was loved by many friends and family and we are really pleased to be able to hold this charity football tournament year-on-year in his honour, to raise money for other worthy causes. By giving us something positive to focus on and by helping others, the event helps us as a family by creating a lasting legacy for Olly.

“Last year’s event was a fantastic day with a huge amount of support shown from family and friends, as well as local individuals and businesses.

"With just a few weeks left until this year’s event, we’d love to hear from anyone who may be able to donate prizes for our raffle, auction, or smaller tombola prizes so we can raise vital funds for the Justice for Ryan campaign and Withymoor Colts' chosen charity The National Society for Phenylketonuria (PKU).

Twenty four teams, made up of friends of both Olly and Ryan will take to the pitch for the event which will run from 9.30am to 4pm. The day will also include a junior football tournament run by Withymoor Colts FC, a barbecue, refreshments, facepainting, tombola, target shootout and more.

The main raffle and an auction will be held after the tournament at The Tenth Lock pub, Delph Road, Brierley Hill.

To donate a prize or buy raffle tickets email Simon Wilkes at simonwilkes27@blueyonder.co.uk or visit The Olly Wilkes Memorial Football Tournament 2019 Facebook page.