A spirited 11-a-side charity football tournament, hosted by Boston Man v Fat FC, has raised a remarkable £3,625.20 for the LimbBo Foundation – a UK-based charity supporting children with limb differences. The event, held at Haven High School, was organised in honour of a club member’s partner and the incredible work of the LimbBo Foundation.
Three teams of programme members participated in the tournament, raising funds through a lively mix of football, fancy dress competitions, and a vibrant community day. The event drew local families and supporters alike, creating an atmosphere full of energy, laughter, and generosity.
A special guest on the day was Oaklen – a young boy who has benefitted from the support of the LimbBo Foundation and whose story inspired the entire event. Oaklen was warmly welcomed by the team captains and spent the day engaging with players and guests alike.
The festivities were supported by local services including the Rock School Bus, which provided musical performances throughout the day, and Walpole Whippy, serving refreshments to keep attendees cool and refreshed. A packed raffle included a wide array of prizes and offers generously donated by local businesses.
The LimbBo Foundation, founded to support young people with limb differences and their families, offers prosthetic aids, peer support networks, and advocacy to help children thrive and lead empowered lives. The funds raised from this event, along with a separate charity game at Peterborough United last month, will go directly to furthering these efforts.
Hannah, who initially approached Boston MVF about organising the event, expressed her heartfelt gratitude: “The amount raised by this one event for the LimbBo Foundation UK is still absolutely insane to me! I never expected we could reach a target this high, but everyone at BMVF pushed themselves to keep raising more and more! It felt like a wonderful day for everyone – with Rock School Bus giving us a soundtrack, ice creams to keep us cool, and the fun and insanity on the pitch! I know the family who inspired this were so thankful as well, and it’s a privilege to know so many children will be helped by the LimbBo Foundation because of this event.”
Boston MVF Club Chairman, Thomas Steadman, echoed the pride felt by the club: “As with anything we’re approached to do, at Boston Man v Fat we don’t do things half-hearted – we are all in. This particular charity event was no exception. When Hannah and Iain told us about the charity, it was something we all wanted to get involved in – and boy did we! From fancy dress footballers to players raising £400+ at auction, we pulled out all the stops to ensure it was the great success it turned out to be. But it wouldn’t be possible without a fantastic group of organisers and the Man v Fat members themselves, who all dug deep into their pockets. This charity deserves every penny raised, and I’m certain it will be put to good use.”
Oaklen’s family shared an emotional reflection on the day: “They really go above and beyond in what they do for charities – and by the looks of it, have a right laugh doing so! (I even found myself having a chuckle at points.) The afternoon was filled with laughter and joy, and it was so lovely to see. But more than that, it was heart-warming to see everyone making such an effort with my little boy Oaklen. He’s the reason I first came across the LimbBo Foundation – he was born with all four limb differences. I never realised the struggles that come with limb differences. He has a rare genetic disorder, but due to how far behind we are in genetic testing, he remains a child with an undiagnosed condition. That scared me as his mum, and I felt I had nowhere to turn until I found LimbBo. They’ve been a massive support. Watching other children thrive and achieve has brought me peace, and having a group of parents I can turn to is amazing. They truly are a fantastic charity in everything they do for children and their families.”
The success of this event is a testament to the power of community, compassion, and football to change lives. With continued support, the LimbBo Foundation will carry on empowering children like Oaklen across the UK.
