Folkestone Invicta’s last scheduled home game of this season, against current league leaders Dulwich Hamlet on Saturday April 24th has been designated ‘Whacky Dress Day’ in aid of one of our favourite causes.
It gives fans the chance to celebrate what has been an excellent season – both and off field – however the next five weeks turn out!
With the full backing of the Supporters Club and the approval of the board, fans are invited to come along in fancy dress – the full business if you like, or at least with a crazy hat or something similar to raise a laugh or two amongst your pals.
There will also be a bucket collection for the charity CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) which is of course very dear to us here at FIFC.*
The event in four weeks time, was the idea of supporter Herbie Tyler (junior) who says: “The charity is fully behind this and they have already sent us promotional leaflets, posters, bucket stickers – and a massive eight-foot banner!
“It is of course our last home game, with all to play for, so let’s make it a day to remember on and off the pitch!”
CRY is the charity supported by the family of the late Paul Sykes – who collapsed while playing for Folkestone Invicta in the semi-final of the Kent Reliance Senior Cup at Cheriton Road on April 12th 2004 and passed away in hospital later that evening.
We have held several collections for this very worthwhile cause in the 14 years which seem to have flown by since then, most especially in 2014 when we marked the tenth anniversary of Paul’s death.
The events of that night were also brought to mind when we lost our long-time physio Dave Williams (almost exactly a year to the day we play Dulwich).
Willo will be forever remembered at this football club, especially for his brave efforts in helping to keep Paul alive till the ambulance arrived at the ground.
We have held several collections for this very worthwhile cause in the 14 years which seem to have flow by since Paul’s passing, especially in 2014 when we marked the tenth anniversary.
The death of a young Tonbridge Angels player more recently, along with several higher profile casualties have only underlined the need for continued research in this area.
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Every week in the UK at least 12 young people die of undiagnosed heart conditions.
Since its formation in 1995, CRY has been working to reduce the frequency of young sudden cardiac death (YSCD).
The charity supports young people diagnosed with potentially life-threatening cardiac conditions and offers bereavement support to families affected by YSCD.
CRY promotes and develops heart screening programmes and funds medical research.
The organisation also publishes and distributes medical information written by leading cardiologists for the general public and funds specialist referral, screening and cardiac pathology services at leading UK hospitals.