Friends and family of a Southerness teenager who died suddenly on holiday in Florida a year ago organised a memorial football event in his honour.
It was held at Matthew Dunn’s former school, St Joseph’s College, in Dumfries on Friday and involved all the year groups and staff.
Much-missed Matthew, who was just 16 when he passed away without warning on the dream trip with dad Graham, step-mum Becky and brother Callum, was a massive football fan and played for both Heston Rovers and Greystone Rovers.
A group of close friends at St Joseph’s – Josh Allison, Flynn McGeorge, Amy Johnston and his brother, Callum – wanted to “do something positive in Matthew’s name” and decided to raise money for Asthma + Lung UK for children.
They galvanised the whole school into action and the Matthew Dunn Memorial Tournament was played throughout the day.
Josh said: “Matthew was such an amazing friend and we all miss him so much.
“All the classes in each year group played each other and the year winners then played each other, and S6 played a team of staff.
The players donated £1 to play and the school also held a “no tie day” to raise extra funds.
They have also set up an online crowdfunding page and are hoping the Dumfries and Galloway community and beyond will make a donation to raise even more money in Matthew’s name for the Asthma + Lung UK charity. By Tuesday afternoon that had raised £416 towards the £500 target and, added to Friday’s event, the total cash collected has topped £1,400.
Anyone who wants to donate can do so at www.justgiving.com/page/matthewcharitymatch.
It is not the first fundraiser in Matthew’s name.
His mum, Michelle Dunn, organised a memorial football match at Palmerston between Heston Rovers and Greystone Rovers, with the support of Queen of the South, in April.
Proceeds from the event were split 50-50 between the amateur clubs. Matthew would have been 17 on April 4 and Michelle wanted the game to be held close to his birthday.
Also in May, Heston Rovers held their end of season awards and Michelle presented The Matthew Dunn Endeavour Trophy to James McCombe.
