Friends raise thousands for charity in honour of beloved parents
Best friends Jacob James, 24, and Jack Macfarlane, 23, from Halesowen, brought their community together for the second year running to host a charity football match in honour of their late parents.
The match was organised in memory of Chris James, Jacob's dad, and Jo Mills, Jack's mum, who both sadly passed away after battles with cancer.
It's the second year of the annual football match, which raised over £5,000 in 2024.
Friends, family and members of the community turned out in force to support this year's event, which took place in Smethwick, raising money for Tallinding School in The Gambia and Macmillan Cancer Support, two causes especially meaningful to the families.
Jacob shared: "Dad was so loved by his family, his friends, his colleagues and everyone at Tallinding, and we are so proud of the impact he had on others."
Before he sadly died of lung cancer in 2024, Chris was named "Honourary Father" by the school in a deeply meaningful ceremony in recognition of his years of support and many visits - often personally financed by Chris himself.
Part of the money raised at the match will be donated to the school, which Jacob and his siblings plan to visit to continue their dad's vital work.
Jacob said: "The money raised in last year's game was put to immediate use as we resurfaced all the classroom desks at the school, rebuilt the school toilets and provided months' worth of rice to families in need."
Jacob came together with his best friend Jack, who lost his beloved mum, Jo Mills, to breast cancer in 2023.
Jack shared: "She was the best mum we could have asked for. She was funny, caring, generous and would do anything for her family.
"I was always very proud to call her my mum, particularly seeing her strength and positivity in the seven years after her diagnosis, never losing this or her great sense of humour."
Jo was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016 - funds from the match will also benefit Macmillan Cancer Support, whose services and nurses were by the side of Jo and the family for over seven years.
So far, this year's event has raised nearly £3,500, and donations are still coming in.
Jack and Jacob shared their appreciation for everyone who has supported them over the last two years, adding: "We cannot express how grateful we are for the huge turnout and everyone's overwhelming support and donations."
