Sadly just before Christmas I lost one of my best friends to a long battle with bowel cancer. Nicky was a fellow hockey enthusiast and I've spent many a Saturday chasing a ball round with her. So when I decided I wanted to do something in her memory and raise money for charity, a hockey festival was the obvious choice. With April also being Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, it was the perfect month to hold the festival.
So, on the 28 and 29 April, in the wind and rain at Cromer, we launched "Forever Fest" in Nicky’s memory. It was a 7-a-side mixed hockey festival that attracted 10 teams and tons of supporters. Some travelled down from Nicky's most recent hockey club – Ben Rhydding in Yorkshire - and there was a good local turnout from Nicky's club of many years North Norfolk (formally North Walsham), where Nicky's mum Bobbie and I still play.
Despite the weather being against us, everyone got stuck in, in what can only be described as true Nicky grit and style. The festival saw nine hockey games for each team (some were even brave enough to camp over!), a raffle, an auction and other games. The money will be split 50/50 between Beating Bowel Cancer UK and the Sue Ryder Manorlands hospice who looked after Nicky so well towards the end.
Our fundraising total from this weekend currently stands at £4,691.15 which is amazing! I am also planning a quiz during May to try and hit my personal target of £5,000.
Nicky would have enjoyed every aspect of the weekend as much as we all did, raising money for this fantastic cause in memory of this fabulous person. Forever Fest will be back next year and I am so delighted and proud we now have this sporting legacy for her.